The entrance is at the Midland Road end of the main concourse (the other end is opposite German gym). The Thameslink platforms are down below ground north of the concourse and the ticket office is nearby.

There is a lift down to the platforms (but it was out of order). Otherwise you have to use two escalators.

The info kiosk is on the left of entrance. I asked the way to the cycle parking. I was told correctly the long way via the corridor to the NCP parking but advised that the new bike shed at Kings Cross suburban stations is nearer. Anyway, I decided to time the walk via the tunnel to the Car Park.

In the main concourse, the entrance to the tunnel that leads via the Toilets and the Coach Road to the Car park is labelled for "Toilets" but not the car/bike park (see photo on right). You have to turn right when you're near the toilets and then cross the Coach Road.

It took me 6 minutes in each direction to walk from the Info kiosk to the cycle parking in the NCP car park.

The nice new bike shed by Kings Cross Suburban platforms has room for 36 bikes but about 42 were parked there. (Photo on left).

Entrance to the NCP Car Park

On 26th November, CCC received a complaint about the fact that NCP personnel were telling cyclists not to enter via the car entry (with barrier) on Pancras Road. Ralph Smyth contacted Richard Talbot, Head of Rail Parking National Car Parks Ltd. He replied as follows:

Thank you for this message. I appreciate the frustration that this issue is causing.

When the car park was pay and display, the use of the entrance and exit by pedestrians and cyclists became habitual.

In the design of the car park, the coach road was envisaged as the main access and egress to and from Pancras Road, the domestic and International stations and the car park.

As we specified barrier equipment it became clear that there was not sufficient clearance for a pedestrian and cycle walkway access and egress at the barrier area.

However, due to the delay in the completion and opening of the coach road, we had no alternative but to allow use of the barrier area as entry and exit. We had to shorten the barrier arms to facilitate this.

We were aware of the risks of accidents and took every reasonable step to discharge our duty of care.

However, there was an accident where a pedestrian walked under a barrier and was struck on the head by the descending barrier. This is despite warning signs being displayed.

Therefore, in consultation with the station management, we agreed to actively discourage non vehicle use of this area.

I believe this is correct. We are now considering re-extending the barriers back to their planned length, which will actually prevent this from happening, as my staff are taking a fair amount of the brunt of dissatisfaction at present.

I must advise you that the notices asking cyclists to dismount were widely ignored and practice there was a genuine hazard being caused by cyclists going through the barrier area at speed. This is not acceptable.

We understand that there is a small detour, particularly for those using Kings Cross and it may be that there is an alternative to the car park at St Pancras for some of these users. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to make people's journeys as easy as possible - and as safe as reasonably practicable.

The barrier arms are still truncated as shown in photo taken on 9 December 2007