Testun llawn:
The Planning Inspector's required modifications to the Draft Local Plan instructs Warwick District Council to revert to the areas of search for a Park and Ride scheme included in a previous version of the Local Plan, known as the "Submitted Plan"did not include this site in Old Milverton
A park and ride anywhere in North Leamington simply does not make any sense and will not benefit anyone, except perhaps future development:
1. It's confused thinking which will hurt the local economy
* Warwick District Council acknowledges that to make Park and Ride work it will have to reduce available parking and increase car parking charges in Leamington BUT it is spending £6 million on a new multi storey car park which will increase available parking.
* Park and Ride will drive shoppers away and will hurt Leamington town centre.
* There is sufficient car parking available in Leamington, no one wants or will use Park and Ride.
2. It's not a proper Park and Ride scheme and the sums don't add up
* It will be a "virtual" service. No dedicated buses. A car park, where passengers leave their cars and catch existing bus services.
* It will increase commuting time and costs not reduce them
* Less parking in Leamington Town centre will significantly reduce car parking revenues to both Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council.
* Commuters are likely to park in the roads adjacent to Northumberland Road and Cloister Crofts which are already heavily congested and already cause bottle necks at key commuting times where as a resident I already have difficult accessing my property.
3. The roads can't cope with Park and Ride
* The Park and Ride operators (Stage Coach) say that dedicated bus lanes on the A452 are necessary.
* There is no money available to make the A452 into a dual carriage way and the proposal has been withdrawn from the Local Plan.
4. It's unlikely to happen and in the wrong place
* The scheme is very unlikely to proceed and the areas of search just blight the neighbouring properties
* If Park and Ride should ever prove necessary or viable a site north of Chesford Bridge should be used to reduce traffic congestion on the A452
The Joint Parish Council has commissioned but awaits an independent critique of the park and ride proposals by transport consultants and will be submitting this as part of its representations therefore any fndings in the report should be shared as part of the consultation