Park and Ride Update Committee Strategy and Programmes Date of meeting 29 November 2013 Date of report 6 November 2013 Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) 1. Object of report To update the Committee on Park and Ride in the SPT area. 2. Background 2.1 Park and Ride (P&R) is a us eful intervention in encouraging drivers and their passengers to use public transport for at least part of their journey. P&R is well established throughout the SPT area, with three Subway, one bus, and over 100 rail sites. P&R is a popular travel choice, especially for commuters, with the majority of sites in the SPT area operating at or near capacity by mid-morning on an av erage weekday. 2.2 For many years, P&R was developed mainly through the opportunity to convert disused railway property adjacent to stations. Development of the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) enabled the co-ordinated strategic planning and delivery of P&R to be set in the context of land-use and the wider transport network 2.3 The RTS identified the provision of P&R as a complementary tool in developing and sustaining an integrated transport network. As part of the RTS, a Park and Ride Action Plan was developed, and a key outcome of this was that the focus for investment should mainly be on large rail and bus sites on strategic routes, with the radial routes into Glasgow being the primary consideration. This would not, however, discount consideration of non-regional, local, P&R projects that could contribute to the collective, strategic initiative by serving not only Glasgow but other key trip attractors. 3. Project update 3.1 Since 2008, SPT has invested circa 10.5 million to deliver - in partnership with constituent Councils, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Network Rail - more than 3,000 new P&R spaces across 20 sites within the SPT area, which has assisted in delivering the 13% rise in rail patronage in west of Scotland over the past 5 years. This includes the delivery of approximately 1,500 spaces during the 2009-10 accelerated programme, when 5m advanced funding was provided by the Scottish Government for this purpose. Figure 3.1 displays the location of completed P&R projects since 2008. Page 1 of 6
Figure 3.1 Completed Park and Ride Projects 3.2 3.3 The programme has delivered over 20 P&Rs. Examples of some of the key projects delivered since 2008 include the following: Croy the largest P&R site in Scotland with a capacity for over 900 vehicles and serving a growing demand from commuters travelling to Glasgow and Edinburgh. This project alleviated serious local parking problems around Croy village and includes sufficient capacity to meet increased future demands including those arising from planned electrification and service improvements between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Currently the occupancy rate is 70% on an average weekday. Page 2 of 6
Carluke This is now the largest P&R serving the Clydesdale area. This project alleviated local parking issues near Carluke station and i ncludes sufficient capacity to meet increased future demand from development within the Carluke Community Growth Area and o ther local housing developments. The new car park has 329 spaces, which brings the total parking capacity at the station to 355 spaces. Kilwinning This location was typical of many sites within the SPT area that have been expanded to meet growing demand. O verspill from the existing car park caused difficulties for local residents and road users. By substantially increasing the number of spaces from 205 to 345, the on street problems have been addressed and there is capacity to meet current and future demand and meet the modal shift priorities of the RTS. Bellshill This station had very limited P&R provision with just 27 parking spaces, and, with the improvement to the timetable and services being introduced as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme, it was recognised that Bellshill P&R should be expanded to complement these developments. The new car park provides 150 spaces. Port Glasgow A solution to an identified need for better P&R provision along the A8 corridor in Inverclyde was found when a por tion of land on the former Highholme school site near Port Glasgow station became available. The location of Port Glasgow station is ideal as a collector for trips from the surrounding area, including commuters from Kilmacolm and rural areas to the south, and benefits from high frequency services as the station receives trains from both Gourock and Wemyss Bay. The new P&R has 150 spaces. 3.4 In 2013/14, three projects are scheduled to be delivered: Irvine, Kilmaurs and Neilston. Additionally, 2013/14 capital funding has been provided for feasibility studies or development works at nine other sites. These include Airdrie, Blairhill, Blantyre, Carstairs Junction, Coatdyke, Largs, Stepps, West Kilbride and Westerhill (bus). Dependent upon the results of these works, these sites may be brought forward as fully developed projects in future years. SPT continues to work with South Ayrshire Council on t he development of a bus -based P&R at Monkton. 3.5 Four strategic sites have also been i dentified for further investigation Johnstone, Robroyston, Fullarton and Chapelhall. The current project status of these four sites is detailed below: Johnstone - design works have been undertaken for a potential expansion of the heavily over-subscribed rail P&R site at Johnstone, which attracts a large number of travellers living in the greater Johnstone area and the Gryffe Valley and working in Paisley, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Robroyston Development of proposals is being pursued in combination with the proposals for Robroyston station and the Millerston area. Fullarton further analysis of this site concluded that a faster public transport connection to the city centre, such as a future extension of Fastlink, would be required before P&R at this location could be developed further. This site is not being developed further at this stage. Page 3 of 6
Chapelhall (M8) this site has not been developed further as the expansion of existing bus P&R at Harthill is being explored in collaboration with the operator of the services, North Lanarkshire Council and Transport Scotland Surveys 3.6 To support the planning process and ensure that P&R development is correctly targeted at both the RTS and Transport Outcome Report (TOR) priorities, and travellers needs, SPT has carried out a programme of user surveys. 3.7 The SPT P&R user survey programme has undertaken more than 1,800 surveys across 42 P&R locations since 2011. T he survey programme collects a l arge volume of information on us ers including age, gender, journey purpose, frequency of P&R usage, journey origin and destination, travel times, train boarding times and reasons for choosing P&R. 3.8 The selection of survey sites is undertaken in conjunction with council officers and the questionnaire is occasionally modified to include questions on specific local issues. 3.9 The P&R survey results include the following findings: The average person using P&R is travelling for work purposes, uses P&R very frequently (3 or more times a week), drives less than 3 miles to get to the P&R, and chooses P&R because of a lack of parking or the cost of parking at his/her destination. Most people will continue to use P&R even if their usual P&R site is unavailable, either by choosing to park on-street or at another P&R. Of those journeys surveyed, there was a reduction in total car mileage when comparing the total car mileage of actual journeys and t he potential journeys that would be m ade if the P&R location was unavailable. As an example, the 2011 survey results showed a savings of 2,500 car miles from those surveyed. The region wide figure is currently being estimated for inclusion in the forthcoming RTS monitoring report. 3.10 Figure 3.2 shows the location of the 2011, 2013 and 2014 survey sites. 3.11 Twenty-one (21) sites will be surveyed in early 2014. SPT is also working with Network Rail and ScotRail to develop an accurate and complete dataset of P&R provision across the SPT area. Page 4 of 6
Figure 3.2 Park and Ride Survey Sites 4. Conclusions 4.1 As part of a co-ordinated programme of development, in partnership with constituent Councils and industry partners, SPT has developed a comprehensive network of P&R locations in the SPT area. Surveys confirm that these facilities are meeting the objectives of the RTS and meeting customer needs. Page 5 of 6
4.2 Development and del ivery of P&R remains part of SPT s commitment to the objectives of the RTS, and further development work and delivery of new projects is currently in progress. 5. Committee action The Committee is requested to note the contents of this report. 6. Consequences Policy consequences Legal consequences Financial consequences Personnel consequences Social inclusion consequences Risk consequences In line with the RTS. The provides an additional option for accessibility to the transport network Name Eric Stewart Name Gordon Maclennan Title Assistant Chief Executive Title Chief Executive (Operations) For further information, please contact Charlie Hoskins, Director Projects on 0141 333 3285 or Bruce Kiloh, Head of Policy and Planning on 0141 333 3740. Page 6 of 6