Work starts on Monday 30 July on the second of two new Park & Ride sites on the A638 in Doncaster that are being developed by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) as part of the A638 Quality Bus Corridor (QBC).
The A638 QBC project is being delivered in response to the unsustainable traffic growth along this route.
The Park & Ride site to the south of Doncaster town centre is situated adjacent to the A638 Bawtry Road at Parrots Corner, and is a key part of the QBC which, when complete, will become Doncaster’s north to south public transport spine.
As part of the QBC project work is already underway on a similar site north of Doncaster town centre, near Green Lane. Good progress is also being made on Phase 1 along the A638 Bawtry Road in Bessacarr - which involves the introduction of new bus lane, new street lighting and improved bus waiting facilities.
When complete the Park & Ride sites 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 two Park & Ride sites have been designed to meet the standards set out in the ‘Secured Car Park Scheme’ promoted by the Association of Chief Police Officers and will feature perimeter fencing, lighting, CCTV and be fully staffed during hours of operation.
The A638 Park & 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.
David Brown, Passenger Services Director at SYPTE, said: "The number of cars using the A638 to access Doncaster continues to increase and this growth is not sustainable. By providing, and encouraging the use of dedicated rapid public transport routes with high quality, low emission buses and Park & Ride facilities motorists will have an attractive alternative to driving into and parking in Doncaster town centre."
The A638 QBC project is a partnership between SYPTE, Doncaster Council and the local bus operators in Doncaster.
It 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 Parrots Corner.
In December 2006 the Department for Transport agreed to provide significant funding of £15.3 million for the infrastructure works and local bus operators will be making major investment in their bus fleets. Construction work has now started on three of the five phases and work is due to start on the fourth phase later this year.
The scheme is scheduled to be completed in 2008.
For more information about the A638 QBC visit www.A638QBC.co.uk or call the information line on 0845 300 8830 (Monday-Friday, 0900-1700).
SYPTE is a member of the Travel South Yorkshire partnership.
The aim of the partnership is to bring public transport together, encourage more people to use it, make it easier to understand and deliver new, innovative public transport products and services.
Travel South Yorkshire is the new identity of the public transport network in South Yorkshire.