Extension to Lansdown Park and Ride in Bath opens today
Nearly 400 extra spaces have today opened at the Lansdown Park and Ride site on the edge of Bath.
The expansion of the facility is part of a £27 million programme which will eventually lead to a 40 per cent increase in the number of park and ride spaces across the city.
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The new spaces at Lansdown
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s completion of the extension at Lansdown - two weeks ahead of schedule - takes the total number of spaces there from 493 to 883.
The council has already extended Odd Down Park and Ride by 230 spaces and plans to expand its Newbridge site by 250 spaces in the autumn, although it has been forced to apply for planning permission all over again there following a legal challenge from a local campaign group.
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Some 500,000 people use Lansdown Park and Ride every year, a number which will now increase as a result of the expansion.
B&NES cabinet member for transport Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down) said: “The council views this as a critical expansion of a park and ride site that is usually full by midday with many workers or visitors to Bath travelling from east Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
“This means that drivers arriving after this time cannot use park and ride and must clog up the city centre streets looking for a space, even though they want to use public transport. The completion of this expansion will mean these drivers will be able to find a space.”
The extension is part of the Bath Transportation Package which aims to tackle traffic congestion and improve air quality at a time when nearly 50,000 cars enter Bath every weekday.
Ian Bell, executive director of Bath Chamber of Commerce, said: “Better transport infrastructure is essential if the council is to help business create the right conditions for new jobs and greater prosperity in the area. Customers and staff must be able to get around quickly and conveniently.
“Together with the other improvements in the Bath Transportation Package, the Lansdown expansion is another welcome step in the right direction.”
6 Comments
by sunny_bath
Saturday, February 16 2013, 12:36AM
“@mcupis
"So more vehicles on the roads, more pollution, more congestion, more transit time and none of the convenience of driving"
Can you explain these points in a little more detail please?”
by council_spoke
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:45PM
“Hi, mcupis.
The current issue is accommodating people arriving with cars after the morning peak period when the site is full. The expansion will help with this, particularly at busy times of year like Christmas.
Regarding any future passenger growth, if under normal circumstances passengers are usually required to stand, the contract with the operator requires them to provide more vehicles/ more frequent services.
In terms of where we are today, as per our previous post, the timetable will continue as normal. Passenger numbers are under constant review.
Hope this explains things.”
by mcupis
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:20PM
“So, at peak times you will have many more people trying to get on the same number of buses at the same time? Brilliant.”
by council_spoke
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:06PM
“Hi, Turkey222.
The buses are brand new and meet extremely high environmental standards. They are hybrid diesel/ electric meaning less carbon emissions and a quieter, more comfortable journey for passengers.
The buses are able to generate significant battery power through the regenerative braking system as they approach the city centre from the Park and Ride sites on the outskirts. This allows fuel to be saved as energy is created by braking and is used to help power the buses. This in turn means that the buses use less fuel, produce fewer emissions and that they are better for everyone.
The current timetable for Lansdown Park & Ride will continue as normal. There is capacity on the buses from mid-morning onwards. Previously, the Park & Ride site (with the number of spaces before the expansion) was usually full by this time, meaning the only people getting on the bus were the few drivers finding a space when people returning from Bath city centre were leaving the site with their car.
This effect is what caused the situation described by Cllr Symonds above, where people would simply not wait around for a space and head into the city centre, despite being willing to use sustainable transport.
Hope this explains things.”
by mcupis
Friday, February 15 2013, 11:37AM
“A complete waste of money. People still have to drive AND catch the bus. So more vehicles on the roads, more pollution, more congestion, more transit time and none of the convenience of driving. And it all costs taxpayers a load more money. Total failure.”
by turkey222
Friday, February 15 2013, 10:24AM
“So instead of cars clogging up the city centre it will be large smelly park and ride buses as they will have to put double the amount of buses on to deal with the increase of users!”