The South Glos Post

South Gloucestershire commuters can ‘dial and park’ for a special discount price at the new park & ride facility off Hunts Ground Road in Stoke Gifford (close to Bristol Parkway Station).

During September, all commuters who use their mobile phone to pay for parking will be charged just £2 per day, plus normal text charges – a saving of £3 on the normal daily rate.

The facility is the first of its kind in South Gloucestershire and gives residents the opportunity to leave their car behind before transferring to a train or local bus for onward journeys into Bristol and other parts of South Gloucestershire.

The park and ride is also on the route of the proposed North Fringe to Hengrove rapid transit network, which the council hopes to gain funding for from the Department for Transport later this year. If the bid for funding is successful, it would provide links to Cribbs Causeway, Aztec West, UWE and Emersons Green, and to Bristol city centre and on to Hengrove.

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Work was due to start yesterday (Monday 19th July) on South Gloucestershire’s first park and ride at Hunts Ground Road, Stoke Gifford, near Bristol Parkway rail station.

The site will provide extra parking for commuters using train services at Parkway Station and will also serve the regular bus services that call at Parkway.

Its location also means that it is well-placed to serve the proposed North Fringe to Hengrove rapid transit scheme.

The location is just off Hunts Ground Road, approximately 400 metres east of Parkway Railway Station and will hold 200 car parking spaces including provision for disabled car parking and motorbikes. Parking at the site will cost £5 a day in the week and £3 a day at weekends.

The estimated construction period is 32 weeks, and completion is expected to be in March 2011.

The site will include lighting and a CCTV system and the gates will be locked at night and opened early in the morning to enhance security. The payment machines will be by credit/debit card only.

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South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative administration has given the green light to transport schemes designed to improve road safety and beat traffic congestion across the district.

As part of this financial year’s Local Transport Capital Programme, building work will start on the district’s first park and ride facility – a £1.2m scheme at Parkway station.

Already-announced changes to the controversial 2+ lane on the ring road will be completed in an effort to respond to Downend and Emersons Green councillors’ calls for radical action to ease congestion.

And further reducing the number of casualties, which are already at a record low, will be a central aim of this year’s transport programme with a number of road safety schemes planned.

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

South Gloucestershire Council in conjunction with Bristol City Council is undertaking consultation on the development of a major transport scheme – the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.

The Package was identified in the South West Regional Funding Advice with a total allocation of £168m and comprises of a proposed rapid transit network with two branches in South Gloucestershire. One in Aztec West – through Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke and Coldharbour Lane. The second branch will run from Emersons Green past Hambrook and both routes will go along the M32 to Bristol city centre.

In July, the Government announced ‘in principle’ funding for the scheme.

Consultation has now started in the run up to submitting a Major Scheme Business Case to the Department for Transport in March 2010.

Residents and businesses are urged to get involved and have their say on the proposed rapid transit routes.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “By working together through the West of England Partnership, the four authorities have an impressive track record in attracting major investment in transport in the area, including the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.

“This important transport scheme is designed to tackle congestion and enhance quality of life by improving road safety, air quality, and access to job opportunities. It is also intended to help people get to school and work more efficiently and strengthen the local economy by ensuring that there are realistic alternatives to car travel. All in all, it will have a hugely positive impact for our residents and businesses.

“We look forward to hearing the views of residents and businesses on our proposals and hope they will take the time to respond to this consultation.”

Exhibitions are planned for:

• Aztec West 30 Nov to 4 Dec (un-staffed)
• Willow Brook Centre (Tesco) Bradley Stoke 30 Nov to 7 Dec (un-staffed)
• University of the West of England (Frenchay campus, One Zone lounge) Thursday 3 Dec noon to 2pm (staffed)
• Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre/Library Saturday 5 Dec 9am to noon (staffed)
• Sainsburys Emersons Green 7 to 14 Dec (un-staffed)
• The Community Hall in Little Stoke 9 Dec 4pm to 8pm (staffed)

Information including a questionnaire is now available on the website – www.travelplus.org.uk/NorthFringetoHengrove – alternatively call 01454 868004.

Postcards with details of the exhibitions are being distributed to 30,000 householders along the route. Leaflets will also be available in local libraries from Monday 30 November.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council