Agenda item

The Committee to receive a briefing around the bus station, including the traffic model.

Brian Hoare, local resident, addressed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.   He acknowledged the value that Scrutiny can add, such as pre-decision scrutiny and scrutiny reviews but queried the value of the briefing note as in his opinion it did not identify the issues or concerns to be addressed.  He queried why the schemes listed in the briefing note did not contain details and queried how this briefing would add value.

Mr Hoare was thanked for his address.

Derrick Simpson, Town Centre Manager, presented his briefing note to the Committee, highlighting the salient points:

·         The report had been produced in response to a request for information around the impact of the bus station on the town centre, the Traffic Modelling Study had been issued to the Chair. The document was very comprehensive containing over 270 pages. 

·         As a result of the Traffic Modelling Study the bus station opened in March 2014.  There had been a few issues on the day of it opening but this in part was due to a traffic incident which lead to inner ring road network in the town to coming to a halt. 

·         There had been some issues with pedestrians walking across Sheep Street & Bradshaw Street and not using the zebra crossings and therefore additional barriers were installed to improve safety. The traffic light sequence was monitored and altered to assist traffic flows.

·         Generally, throughout the day the buses flow well, issues only arise when the artillery ring roads are blocked through accidents or planned works as these then impact on the area around the bus station.

·         On average 40-60 vehicles use the Drapery illegally every hour during the daytime.  NCC have undertaken studies and are aware of the issues and are seeking permission to install ANPR enforcement cameras. This will reduce the number of unauthorised vehicles travelling along the Drapery and will improve traffic flows.

·         NCC and NBC are working on plans to make Bradshaw Street one way again to improve traffic flows.

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         The Chair confirmed that this report had been requested at the meeting of the Committee on 30 April 2018 as the issue had been discussed at the Work Programming event.

·         The new bus station provides a much better offer to bus users and bus drivers.  The bus station is well maintained, clean, improved safety with CCTV and security with good quality amenities. In comparison with the old Greyfriars bus station graffiti levels have fallen by 99%; complaints are rare and security issues are minimal.

·         Previously, there was a major issue with pedestrians crossing Lady’s Lane and Greyfriars Lane to enter the bus station as they wished to avoid the underground passageways.  At its peak there were around 150 pedestrians hourly crossing the roads, in the new bus station this number has now reduce to a handful each hour.

·         There are around 8 million bus users annually using the bus station and interchange.

·         In response to a query regarding park and ride over the Christmas period, Derrick Simpson advised this was trialled many years ago from Cliftonville House on the Bedford road to town; but it was not well used despite charges being less than the parking fees.    This could be looked into for the year and would involve working with partners like the University.  It was noted NCC are exploring options for new park and ride sites around Northampton.

Derrick Simpson was thanked for his informative address.

AGREED:      That the information provided is noted.