83 Hanley car park spaces to be used by buses that cannot fit into new multi-million pound station
EIGHTY-THREE city centre parking spaces are to be lost – to make way for buses which cannot fit into Hanley's new multi-million pound bus station.
Part of Hinde Street car park will be used as an overspill site for the new £15 million bus station, council documents have revealed.
The spaces will be lost to make room for 12 'lay-over' bays to be used as buses pause to change routes and drivers.
The plans come after Stoke-on-Trent City Council admitted revenue from pay-and-display car parking has dramatically fallen.
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Last year the authority fell short of its parking income target by £400,000, and the council is again predicting a shortfall of £359,000 this year.
A spokesman for the council said the fall in demand would enable it to lose the spaces on Hinde Street without creating a shortage of spaces.
The spokesman also explained that it would not be practical to develop 'lay-over' bays on the same site as the new bus station.
"Three car parks form the Hinde Street site, and it is proposed that the lay-overs will occupy only a small part of one of the sites," he said.
"The car park has 450 spaces, and there is still a good amount of capacity on the other car parks.
"Lay-over bays are needed to accommodate buses that are not due to go out for at least half an hour, and a separate site is needed for additional bays because the new bus station site has been designed to maximise the space available for buses that are needed for immediate journeys."
The plans have been cautiously welcomed by Doug Wardle, of the City Centre Partnership traders' group, which campaigns to increase the prosperity of the city centre.
Mr Wardle said: "We are not the only council in the country to be experiencing a drop in revenue from car parking.
"I've been to meetings throughout the area, and it's clearly a situation for other authorities too.
"But if councils and people concerned with the environment want to reduce the amount of cars on the road, and they get rid of these parking spaces to put buses there, then it can't be a bad thing.
"If the car park is not being fully utilised then there is no harm in it.
"However, if it is fully utilised then perhaps there could possibly be a contribution from the bus companies to use the lay-overs."
The plans are intended to be finalised in time for the opening of the new bus station, which is being built on the former John Street surface car park, in January.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, the city council's cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: "A planning application has been submitted, as part of a number of 'off-site' works necessary to deliver the new city centre bus station.
"The station has been designed to maximise the space available on John Street, providing 22 new bus stands and seven temporary lay-over bays.
"The stands have been carefully modelled to manage bus movements and demand, but it was identified very early on in the design process and through extensive consultation with existing operators, that supplementary lay-over bays would be needed.
"A small section of Hinde Street has been identified as the preferred location for the additional lay-over space, as it is very close to the new facility and has good access."
Other changes will be made to surrounding roads to accommodate the structure, including making Foundry Street, Lower Foundry Street and part of Trinity Street one-way to improve traffic circulation.
Comments
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, September 20 2012, 8:02PM
“Gary, every council in the country are facing massive cuts in local spending. Are you that crazy as you can't see that, old Mr. 30 odd.”
by mole10
Thursday, September 20 2012, 5:26PM
“Not enough space for buses..
£7.5m written of by Labour.
1000s of new jobs created (as if).
Libraries shut.
Swimming pools shut.
kiddies parks shut.
Day centres shut.
DIMENSIONS.
£100,000.
A deputy chief executive (??) (video of how to wash hands is a classic).
ipads.
Expenses.
Standards Committee.
Youth clubs closed.
Care Homes closed.
Elections called during holiday period (much to the concern of Officers).
This is the worst Labour Council ever, and you are on the run.”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, September 20 2012, 4:53PM
“What rubbish you talk Gary, a very long spell of vacancy, 2 to 3 month max that included the campaigns for the seat that has to happen in any election. I was pleased at the shortness of time between Hill's tantrum and the date being called, with everything involved in a election, it was very well done. Get over yourself, you clown.”
by mole10
Thursday, September 20 2012, 1:24PM
“We don't have annual elections anymore Warren, we only have elections on General Election day.
Have a guess why.
It's so that more people will have more of a chance to vote.
Claptrap in every word.
It's to sew it up for the big boys.
The only chance of a result now is a by-election.
It was called during a holiday period after a very long spell of vacancy.
The intent was to give Labour an advantage over everyone else.
It backfired because too much negative campaigning destroyed their chances.
People all over this Country have bent over backwards to accomodate every voter's wishes to give them more time and opportunity to vote using many methods.
Not Stoke though.
Why?
It's just Stoke and people all over the Country expect it and we expect it too.
They laugh at us and they are justified to do so.”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:36AM
“And, if a by- election had not been called at the first chance after Hill spat her dummy out, you would have been the first on going on about the people of Springfield and Trent Vale being left without a voice. Tell you what Gary, give up, you are just a joke.”
by warren-lloyd
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 5:33PM
“But not everyone was on Holiday Gary, you showed your normal massive commitment, and left on a jet plain, on a holiday you insist was booked before the by-election was called, so why put your name on the roll knowing full well you would not be there for much of the run up, election day, and the ruddy result, how eve much of a joke it was seeing your poor count, remind us all again how many, 30 something if I remember right. Did the 10 people who you need nominate you vote to you in that. I'll tell you why you up your name on the roll, it give you something to bi**h about. You are a first class top draw idiot.”
by mole10
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:25PM
“No Warren, I didn't accuse anyone of deliberately holding an election to clash with my holiday.
I accused this Labour Council of holding an election to clash with EVERYONE'S holiday.”
by I_Norris
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 12:00PM
“Warren the LTP till 2026 has been agreed and with focus on new bus station and the urban core ( Hanley ) its all mapped out already
Which is why im asking How bus station will improve public transport in the city. As any other options like radial hubs have already been dismissed, with the backing of your and others not asking question blinded by the shiny building for hanley”
by truestokie
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:52AM
“Listen everybody, Stoke Labour knew they were going to bankrupt or downsize, the city to a parish so had built a bus station to fit their expectations.
How else do you expect the lunatics to run this asylum.”
by warren-lloyd
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:15AM
“I pick one of out, according, if a need for a small interchange in the location I have pointed out can be proven, with public or privet money, it cold be done. Looks like first are going to get better links in the train station if this west coast deal goes in, they might like to help out, money in their till any ways about.”