Post by snowman on Jan 28, 2015 20:40:21 GMT
Kingston Council has issued a revised version of the redevelopment of Eden Quarter
This could see the closure of Eden Street to buses
See attached (warning very large file 70mb), Eden Quarter pdf 70mb as document is large I will quote the section on the bus changes
Bus movement
The bus strategy within the Eden Quarter is currently under review and there is expected to be a new circulation system for buses around the area. A number of options are being investigated and it is already clear that some of the options offer a good opportunity to deal with many of the existing issues in the town centre. However these options are also likely to be the most challenging and lengthy to deliver requiring detailed investigation and consultation, hence short
and long term options may be pursued. The longer term option is likely to involve the creation of a small bus station on the eastern side of the Council owned site including a new northbound link road between Ashdown Road and Lady Booth Road. This would allow the removal of buses from the more sensitive areas around Eden Street. Shorter term interim arrangements could involve relocation of some of the bus stops and/or bus movements from the congested northern end of Eden Street to alternative locations such as Ashdown Road or Lady Booth Road.
It should be noted that if any proposals are brought forwards for sites where bus driver facilities are currently located, these would have to be re-provided.
and from page 51
Schemes are being developed for Wheatfield Way including the mini Holland and bus stop relocation plans. This may require additional land take from the existing land ownership along Wheatfield Way.
and from page 56
3. To ease pedestrian movement and rationalise the space needed for buses at the junction of Clarence Street and Wheatfield Way.
4. To help calm the traffic environment along Wheatfield Way in the centre of town.
Development parameters
As the bus system is rationalised there will be spare road space at this junction. This provides a major opportunity to re-connect the pedestrian route across Wheatfield Way and help to direct shoppers to the alternative offer on Old London Road. Pavements along Clarence Street should be widened and a wide raised pedestrian table crossing should flow from Clarence Street, across Wheatfield Way, to Old London Road.
Note there are longer term plans to create a new bus station (which appears to be about 100m SW of Fairfield bus station but page 58 suggests building on the site of Fairfield bus station. It is also clear that Brook Street (current terminus of 65) will become a dead stub of road and the buses that continue to the High Street 85, 371, 465, K1 etc will need rerouting as part of their route disappears under the new Eden Square. It appears Wheatfield Way might be converted from a dual carriageway to a boulevard (seems to be posh planning term for making it look less like a busy road)
Could affect 57, 65, 85, 131, 213, 281, 371, 406, 418, 465, 671, 691, 965, K1, K2, K4, K5, N65, N87 and Surrey : 458, 459, 514, 515
With the 57, 65, 131, 213 losing their stands, (and 85 and 371 being unable to reach their stand) probably will see a number of route changes so that some buses work across the town rather than terminating, I would like to see the 131 or 213 and N87 diverted to Clarence St, past Station, Wood Street, through John Lewis tunnel (Horsefair), left and stand near John Lewis (where taxi rank is currently) to provide better connections to buses to Heathrow.
This could see the closure of Eden Street to buses
See attached (warning very large file 70mb), Eden Quarter pdf 70mb as document is large I will quote the section on the bus changes
Bus movement
The bus strategy within the Eden Quarter is currently under review and there is expected to be a new circulation system for buses around the area. A number of options are being investigated and it is already clear that some of the options offer a good opportunity to deal with many of the existing issues in the town centre. However these options are also likely to be the most challenging and lengthy to deliver requiring detailed investigation and consultation, hence short
and long term options may be pursued. The longer term option is likely to involve the creation of a small bus station on the eastern side of the Council owned site including a new northbound link road between Ashdown Road and Lady Booth Road. This would allow the removal of buses from the more sensitive areas around Eden Street. Shorter term interim arrangements could involve relocation of some of the bus stops and/or bus movements from the congested northern end of Eden Street to alternative locations such as Ashdown Road or Lady Booth Road.
It should be noted that if any proposals are brought forwards for sites where bus driver facilities are currently located, these would have to be re-provided.
and from page 51
Schemes are being developed for Wheatfield Way including the mini Holland and bus stop relocation plans. This may require additional land take from the existing land ownership along Wheatfield Way.
and from page 56
3. To ease pedestrian movement and rationalise the space needed for buses at the junction of Clarence Street and Wheatfield Way.
4. To help calm the traffic environment along Wheatfield Way in the centre of town.
Development parameters
As the bus system is rationalised there will be spare road space at this junction. This provides a major opportunity to re-connect the pedestrian route across Wheatfield Way and help to direct shoppers to the alternative offer on Old London Road. Pavements along Clarence Street should be widened and a wide raised pedestrian table crossing should flow from Clarence Street, across Wheatfield Way, to Old London Road.
Note there are longer term plans to create a new bus station (which appears to be about 100m SW of Fairfield bus station but page 58 suggests building on the site of Fairfield bus station. It is also clear that Brook Street (current terminus of 65) will become a dead stub of road and the buses that continue to the High Street 85, 371, 465, K1 etc will need rerouting as part of their route disappears under the new Eden Square. It appears Wheatfield Way might be converted from a dual carriageway to a boulevard (seems to be posh planning term for making it look less like a busy road)
Could affect 57, 65, 85, 131, 213, 281, 371, 406, 418, 465, 671, 691, 965, K1, K2, K4, K5, N65, N87 and Surrey : 458, 459, 514, 515
With the 57, 65, 131, 213 losing their stands, (and 85 and 371 being unable to reach their stand) probably will see a number of route changes so that some buses work across the town rather than terminating, I would like to see the 131 or 213 and N87 diverted to Clarence St, past Station, Wood Street, through John Lewis tunnel (Horsefair), left and stand near John Lewis (where taxi rank is currently) to provide better connections to buses to Heathrow.
