A bike shed which cost £1.1 million sits almost empty every day.

The Cycle Hub, which opened at Chatham Railway Station last June, has the capacity to hold up to 280 bikes but most days has only around 10.

Commuter Shaun Graham admitted he would not leave his bike there.

He said: “I have not seen many people use it. I do think part of that is people do not feel safe leaving it there.”

One woman, who usually walks to the station, said: “Even if I cycled I would be worried about it being left in there because you hear about people taking seats off and cutting through chains elsewhere.

"I do not know much about it. I do not think many people use it.”

The hub is in Railway Street, opposite Wickes, but not immediately in view of the station, meaning many people are not even aware of its existence.

One commuter said: “I did not even know it was there. I have not noticed it and I have not noticed people using it or cycling in.”

Another commuter, who uses the trains once a week for work, said: “When I am here I do not see many people using it or cycling into the station.”

Helena Gruchociak uses the cycle store as she bikes 15 minutes to the station most days for work. She said: “I do not really see many people riding bikes around here.

"I see a few being left but still it is not many. When I’m riding to work I may see one other person cycling."

She said she felt safe leaving it there but has had issues paying as it cannot be done online.

Users must pay a subscription of £25 to access the hub for three months, £35 for six months or £50 for 12 months.

Cllr Vince Maple (Lab), whose Chatham Central ward includes the station, is keen to find ways to ensure the facility is utilised more to ensure it does not become a white elephant.

“It’s disappointing and concerning that something of this nature is not being used to its full capacity,” he said.

And he said this could be down to a number of factors, which need addressing.

“It could be due to the lack of cycle lanes in Chatham, which is something that needs to be explored.”

He also thought more communication about the hub would be beneficial.

“With the way Chatham station is laid out it is surrounded by lots of hills and many people may not even know it is there.”

He also thought the price might be putting people off, adding: “Is £50 a year really a sustainable price to be paying for parking of that nature.”

The facility has electric bike charging points, a DIY repair stand with tools, a pump and CCTV coverage.

It can be accessed 24/7 using a personalised key fob. Access for non-paying members of the public is not possible, with key fobs only issued to subscribers at the station’s ticket office.

The government contributed £800,000 as part of its Cycle Rail grant programme, with a further £300,000 from Medway Council towards the forecourt improvements, which included plans that supported the delivery of the cycle hub.

Previously the station had just 30 spaces to park bicycles but the new hub is fitted with two-tier racks to maximise the amount of spaces available.

Southeastern delivered the project with support from Network Rail, Medway Council and cycling charity Sustrans.

The idea was to help encourage sustainable, environmentally-friendly travel.

A Southeastern spokesman said: “Cycle hubs are a great way to store bikes at stations and far from being unsafe are much more secure.

"We will be promoting the use of cycle hubs across our network more over the coming months.

“Paying a small fee of £25, £35 or £50 to cover administration over a three, six or 12-month period, the cost of secure storage for a bicycle in a station cycle hub for a year represents excellent value.”

He added: “Using a cycle hub is much, much lower than the equivalent car parking season ticket, even for customers only travelling two or three times a week, as many people are now doing.”

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council's portfolio holder for frontline services, said: “The new Cycle Hub is part of the government’s wider Cycle Rail Programme across the country, with the major aim being more sustainable commuter journeys.

"The Department for Transport set aside £800,000 to fund the new Cycle Hub and it has provided 280 cycle spaces and electric charging points for hybrid bikes, with two tool stands and two pumps for cyclists.

“This was not a council-driven initiative, although we want to encourage residents to cycle more, both for exercise and the environment.”