- NEED FOR THE PROJECT
As
part of the development of a countywide network of Premium Routes and
Interchanges, the County Council is looking to expand Park & Ride
services to destinations other than the city centre. The London and
Gatwick/Heathrow Airport services that previously stopped on the A40
are now operating from the site on a trial basis, but the arrangements
are very cramped and congested.
A
30 minute frequency service from Thornhill Park & Ride to the Churchill
and Nuffield Hospitals has also been in place since May 2003. Additionally,
consideration is being given to a new service to the John Radcliffe
Hospital. The Council also has aspirations to explore the possibility
of using the site as a terminus for other local bus services offering
an interchange with services to the City centre, the hospitals and the
express services.
Previously,
users of the London services tended to park within the Thornhill site
and cross the busy dual carriageway to the bus stop lay-by on the northern
side of the A40. Although a subway exists to the west of the signalised
junction with the site, the majority of pedestrians took the shortest
route across the A40 at a dangerous location to the east of the junction.
Bringing the London and airport services within the site has reduced
this road safety problem.
Current
trial use of the site by the London services is a distinct improvement
on the previous situation both in terms of road safety and personal
security. However the situation is far from ideal. At present the existing
turning loop struggles to cope with the large number of buses using
the facility which has led to congestion and difficulty for users as
buses cannot always stop in the most convenient locations. There is
already a risk of disruption to services, and with any further expansion
of services the situation would become unmanageable.
The
current facilities, consisting of dispersed bus shelters, does not cater
adequately for the needs of London and Airport passengers who may be
laden with luggage, and may need to wait at the park & ride for
longer periods of time. The new facility will provide a heated waiting
room with toilet facilities and real-time information for passengers.
It
is considered that the proposal will provide a great improvement to
the present set-up, and create a welcoming facility for both frequent
users and visitors to Oxford alike.
- CONSISTENCY WITH THE
SERVICE STRATEGY
The
principle of raising the profile of and improving Park & Ride provision
accords with the Structure Plan, the Local Transport Plan, the Oxford
Local Plan, and the South Oxfordshire Local Plan (this site falls within
South Oxfordshire District).
Although
the Park & Ride system was established primarily to serve Oxford,
use for other directions of travel is consistent with national and local
policies aimed at reducing private vehicle travel and encouraging use
of public transport. Early improvement of the Thornhill site will encourage
greater use of the facilities, which will contribute to achieving the
Council’s objective of increasing bus use.
- ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
The
proposal is consistent with the latest national and local guidance in
promoting the use of public transport and park & ride. Environmental
benefits of the scheme include reduced traffic congestion within Oxford
and on routes into London, providing improved environmental conditions
in the City and surrounding area.
- OTHER REASONABLE OPTIONS
In
formulating the proposed design, officers considered and assessed various
alternative layouts. The best performing options were taken forward
for preliminary consultation with the bus operators that use the site,
Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach.
Both
operators are very much in favour of the proposed scheme, which was
considered to be the most convenient for both operators and users of
the park and ride. This scheme was also assessed by officers as the
best performing of the three options.
- FUNDING
A
resource appraisal is attached. Funding for the scheme will primarily
come from the On-Street Parking Surplus with support from Credit Approval
secured under the new Local Transport Plan process and developer contributions.
- LAND
The
proposed improvements are consistent with the permitted use of the land
as detailed in the existing 30-year lease with Shotover Estate (effective
from 1 April 2002).
- TIMING/PHASING
The scheme is currently programmed to commence construction in the
summer of 2006.