People are being invited by Bath & North East Somerset Council to attend a public exhibition and view plans for the extension of the Newbridge Park & Ride site.
The Council is submitting a new planning application in the late Summer 2013 to take into account the changes to scheme, which included removing the BRT route. The plans propose an increase in capacity from 450 to 698 spaces, a covered waiting area, public toilets, and cycle storage.
The exhibition will take place on Thursday 27th June, 3pm – 8pm at Lansdown Cricket Club. Visitors to the event will be able to view the plans and speak to representatives of the project team. Limited off-street parking is available.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council, said, “The current site is extremely popular and regularly full by mid-morning. As a result, drivers who are willing to use this sustainable form of transport are driving on into Bath city centre in search of a space and creating extra congestion. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s proposed extension will result in drivers being more likely to find a space and avoiding having to clog-up already congested streets. This extension helps provide the infrastructure needed to support new homes and jobs in the area for local people.
“We’ve listened to feedback from earlier proposals and have reviewed the facilities available at the site, such as providing cycle storage.”
The proposal has also been met with enthusiasm from the business community. Ian Bell, Director, Business West – Bath, said, “Local business is pleased to see progress on the extension of the three existing Park & Ride sites. This latest proposal for Newbridge is urgently needed because it is too small for the size of Bath’s ambitions to provide an upgraded transport network that will support employers to get their staff, clients, and customers into Bath quickly and conveniently.”
The extension is part of the £27 million Bath Transportation Package which has already delivered extra spaces at Lansdown and Odd Down. VMS signage on key routes and better bus routes are also part of the investment. More details about the Package can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/btp
