PAPER E2

 

Purpose: For Noting

 

Committee:    REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE

 

Date:               3 DECEMBER 2002

 

Title:               UPDATE ON PARK AND RIDE SCHEMES

           

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT

 

IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 13 DECEMBER 2002

 

 

 


SUMMARY / PURPOSE

 

  1. To appraise members of the current position on the provision of Park & Ride facilities that are in the process of being developed.

 

CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT ITEMS

 

  1. None.

 

BACKGROUND

 

  1. The current position regarding each of the projects is as follows:

 

Cowes

 

  1. There is a long-standing proposal to construct a Park & Ride facility on land adjacent to the roundabout at Somerton utilising a redundant Council highways depot. Negotiations are at an advanced stage with a developer of adjacent land who is prepared to construct a Park & Ride combining both his and the Council’s land holding to provide a 250-300 space facility.

 

  1. Extensive consultations have been held with Red Funnel to secure a contribution to funding the operation of a dedicated shuttle bus to link with the Red Jet Terminal at Fountain Quay. The cost of this is circa £100,000 per annum. To date, Officers and Members have been unable secure a commitment to funding. A bid for grant funding for up to 3 years from the Countryside Agency has been made by the Rural Transport Officer under the rural bus challenge.

 

Ryde

 

  1. A proposal to extend and enhance the railway car park at Ryde St Johns Road station to provide an additional 60 spaces has planning approval and a bid for funding has been included as part of the major scheme bid for Ryde Interchange that was submitted at the end of July as part on the Annual Progress Report. A decision as to whether this bid has been successful is expected in mid December.

 

Sandown / Shanklin

 

  1. The Parking Study undertaken by Mott MacDonald for the Council last year identified that there was virtually no spare parking capacity in the town centres and along the sea fronts at Sandown or Shanklin. However, this demand is seasonal in nature with peak ticket sales during the main six weeks of the summer holidays and therefore whilst a Park & Ride site would not be viable all the year round, the study suggested a seasonal site could provide a possible solution.

 

  1. A favourable location would be on the A3056 into Sandown/Shanklin, possibly in the vicinity of Spithead Business Park, however not site has been identified and further studies into the viability and likely use of such a site would be necessary.

 

  1. Work in conjunction with Island Line has been undertaken at Sandown Railway Station to provide Park & Ride facilities and improved signing of this is planned. A similar scheme is being developed at Shanklin Railway Station.

 

Newport

 

  1. Newport is the main focus for on-island commuting trips but the Parking Study surveys revealed spare capacity in the long-term car parks in August. The Study concluded that demand for a Park & Ride site serving Newport would be unlikely to be sufficient to allow it to be economically viable, even during the summer given the current parking stock. Meanwhile, some additional car parking could arise close to the town centre by early redevelopment of the Hurst gas bottle site in Sea Street and/or the use of some spaces that may be released by the Council’s Green Travel Plan.

 

Coach Park & Ride

 

11. Coach parking in a number of the Island’s towns is a particular problem and solutions are being sought. Progress so far has been made in Cowes where negotiations are at an advanced stage to provide additional coach parking at the BAe Sports Ground site in Park Road Cowes to release some of the commercial parking area off Ward Avenue. Issues surrounding restrictive covenants need to be clarified.

 

12. A scheme to relocate long stay coach parking from Ryde Esplanade to the Westridge Centre is currently being investigated. Short stay setting down and pick up facilities would be provided on the Esplanade.

 

13. Considerable problems exist in Newport, particularly in relation to the Tuesday Market. Currently, coach parking is permitted on The Quay. A feasibility study is underway to evaluate a site on Forest Road, Newport where the Education Stores is located to see if it is practical for use as a long stay park for coaches. Adequate setting down and pick up facilities would have to identified in the town centre, possibly in Quay Street or Lower High Street.

 

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

 

  1. The provision of Park & Ride facilities contributes to the corporate objectives of protecting and enhancing the Island’s environment; developing the Island’s transport network for the benefit of local people and promoting sustainable tourism. It is also consistent with the demand restraint strategy contained in the Local Transport Plan and the Air Quality Strategy.

 

CONSULTATION

 

  1. Both the Park & Ride for Ryde St Johns and Cowes were identified in the Local Transport Plan, which was the subject of extensive consultation. The other schemes referred to are still under development.

 

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

 

  1. None, this report is for noting only.

 

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

  1. None, this report is for noting only.

 

OPTIONS

 

  1. None, this report is for noting only.

 

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

 

  1. None, this report is for noting only.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

20. That the report is noted.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

21.Non were used in the preparation of this report

 

Contact Point: Peter Taylor, Engineering Services    823777.  [email protected]

 

 

 

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services

E FOX

Portfolio Holder for Transport