Agenda item

The report by the Head of Transport and Environment is in response to the  27 November 2014 Traffic and Transportation Meeting decision that a paper to be brought to the February 2015 meeting which would review the progress of park and ride, Tipner since its opening in April 2014. The purpose of this paper is for the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation to recognise the review paper outlining progress to date.

This report followed publication of the agenda.

Nicola Waight presented the Head of Transport & Environment's report.

A deputation was made by Councillor Michael Andrewes whose points included he was disappointed that there had been late production of this report and he felt there were still unresolved issues regarding the loss of revenue if there was an extension to Southsea.  He hoped there could be further use of the port which was owned by the council for overspill events.  He felt that if a trial was undertaken for Southsea the hours should be looked at as a 5 o'clock end was early for the seaside.  Local businesses in Southsea were in favour of the park and ride being extended there as part of the Council's three centre strategy.  He hoped that the ward councillors would be involved in the project to deal with marketing this.  He asked why was there not a guarantee to fully extend the park and ride to Southsea?

Councillor Darren Sanders then spoke whose points included park and ride had been brought in by his previous administration.  It was important to the regeneration of Tipner and he welcomed keeping the fare at £3.  There was a need to extend this to Southsea but  no budget had been identified. He also referred to the impact of shortening the bus lane at Mile End Road.

Councillor Ellcome responded to the points that had been made and outlined the meetings that had taken place with the bus groups regarding the special events and the need for park and ride coverage would take place in respect of the Southsea issue, the problems at the Rudmore road junction often caused by motorists blocking the box junction thereby reducing the flow of traffic and the impact on the loss of seafront parking with the extension to the park and ride was not yet known.  The extension to the park and ride to Southsea would only take place if there was sufficient take-up by passengers.  With regard to the use of the port whilst this was part of the city council there were security checks needed which would impact on timetables.  The initial proposal had been for the fare to increase to £3.50 but he wished to keep it to £3 for as long as possible for encouragement of the use of the service.

Michael Robinson wished to clarify on page 55 of the report with regard to the coffee concession there was not one at the park and ride.  Councillor Ellcome wished to change the recommendation 2.5 from a six week to a six month trial period.

DECISIONS:

(i)         The Cabinet Member acknowledges the review paper outlining the progress of park and ride since its opening in April 2014

(ii)        That the price of a 1 day ticket remains at £3 to be reviewed within six months. 

(iii)       That a new school holiday timetable as outlined in Appendix 11 of the attached monitoring report is registered with the Traffic Commissioner who requires 56 days' notice and, subject to his approval, to be in place by Easter 2015. 

(iv)      That the Friday and Saturday evening services are withdrawn and the last bus is moved to 19:30 as per the Monday to Thursday timetable.

(v)       It is recommended that the proposed six month seasonal trial to Southsea is taken forward, to start as soon as possible.

(vi)      It is recommended that a new bus is not purchased at this stage and a non-branded bus is used for all special events and trials. If trials are successful then purchase can be reconsidered.

(vii)     It is recommended that the Brompton dock remains at the park and ride site during the interim period whilst the new Hard Interchange is constructed.  Once construction is complete the dock should be relocated to The Hard Interchange.

(viii)    It is recommended that a multi-storey extension for the park and ride is progressed as soon as funding is available to ensure that the car park capacity keeps up with demand.

(ix)      That a review paper is brought back to the Cabinet member for operation for the nine month period from January 2015 to September 2015.