Construction work is due to start today on the first of two new park and ride sites that are being delivered as part of the A638 Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) in Doncaster.
The park and ride site to the north of Doncaster town centre is situated adjacent to York Road, opposite Green Lane, and will be built by Hewlett Civil Engineering.
When complete it will feature 400 car parking spaces and a range of facilities, including a ticket and security office, covered waiting areas with seating and litter bins, covered cycle racks, toilets and baby changing facilities, and spaces specifically allocated to drivers with disabilities.
To encourage high usage the park and ride sites are designed to be safe and secure with 24 hour CCTV and security.
The park and ride sites are specifically aimed at attracting commuters who use cars to travel to and from work. By encouraging drivers onto buses this will reduce congestion along these key roads into the town centre, thereby reducing emissions and environmental damage caused by the large volumes of traffic which currently use these routes.
The A638 QBC project is a partnership between South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Doncaster Council and the local bus operators in Doncaster.
David Brown, Passenger Services Director at SYPTE, said; “The A638 QBC is a full package of bus priority measures combined with attractive waiting facilities, high quality park and ride sites and new, low emission, buses we are providing a quick and environmentally sound option for commuters who ordinarily drive into and park in the town centre.
“Freeing up additional parking spaces in the town centre also means there are more spaces available for short stay shoppers, which can only benefit the town’s economy,” he continued.
The A638 QBC extends both north and south of Doncaster town centre; along York Road, from Green Lane to the North Bridge, and in the south along Bawtry Road from Racecourse Roundabout to Parrott’s Corner.
The project received funding (£15.319 million) from the Department for Transport in December 2006 and construction started this April along Bawtry Road, south of the town centre.
The scheme is scheduled to be completed in spring 2008.
For more information visit A638 QBC or call 0845 300 8830.