Park and Ride
Mr. M J Lovett
Headmaster, Treliske Preparatory School,
Treliske
Truro
Kernow
17th February 2005
Dear Mr. Lovett,
Deborah Clarke has passed me a copy of your note to her in which you suggest some joint working to encouraqe sensible schemes for alleviating traffic pressures. In passing, I should point out that transport and highways is the responsibility of Cornwall County Council, not Carrick D.C.
My point in writing is to briefly outline a scheme which is designed to alleviate traffic pressure, improve accessibility and road safety and reduce emissions. It involves linking a park and ride scheme to the rail network.
As you may know a recent project has restored the dual track on the mainline between Probus and Burngullow. This, together with a scheme which is still being worked on, will enhance the capacity of the network to the extent of enabling a revival of local, domestic services.
There is potential for linking parking and railway at Chiverton, Probus/Grampound Road (to serve the Roseland) and Penryn/Perranwell. By siting park and ride facilities at points in the vicinity of major junctions close to the railway, where traffic coming into Truro collects, we would be able to transfer travellers to a safe, managed corridor (the railway) at a sufficient distance from their destination (Truro) to make travel cheaper for them, as well as environmentally more responsible. Such a scheme would be enhanced by using former stations and halts such as Chacewater, Hugus, Probus and so on.
In the first instance, whilst siting the car parks might not coincide with railway development, we would operate a bus-based park and ride. The costs would be favourable and the potential to transfer to rail would be an environmental and economic bonus. Hugus is sited below Truro College and could provide an exchange point for commuters to the College, industrial estates, hospital and schools if a shuttle-provision could be provided.
Perhaps the biggest bonus for Truro would be the provision of a passenger halt behind the Crown Court based on a disused ‘Cattle Dock’ left over from the former livestock market, putting passengers within a minute of the town centre.
The County Council is presently engaged on a scoping study of these ideas. There is no doubt that the rail network which, in Cornwall is very extensive, offers a cost-effective, non-congestive, environmentally responsible transport option. As the environmental imperative to address global warming becomes critically urgent if we are to stop the ice-caps melting, and as people seek more efficient and cost-effective ways of travelling, the benefits of such a scheme are improving all the time.
Whilst there are no magic wands, and the transport budget is extremely competitive, and the shift towards macro-regional allocation means that Cornwall’s transport needs will be comparatively minor issues in yet another funding queue, it is also the case that this scheme is an innovative and environmentally positive in both intent and outcome. It is beyond doubt that Truro needs to find a long-term, efficient and environmentally positive way of resolving the access issues it faces. With strong public and institutional support, together with a good business plan, a good partnership with the rail industry (c.f. Probus-Burngullow) and some clear, incisive advocacy, I believe that this scheme could begin to be developed fairly quickly.
I am sure that Richard Fish, the County Surveyor (Cornwall Council, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AY), would like to hear your views about this scheme, your concerns for your continued success as a private school and employer, and any other ideas you may have on how to address the complex transport issues which face us. We might also be able to assist in helping you to bring these issues into the curriculum on a project basis – all fresh thinking gratefully received.
With best wishes,
Bert Biscoe
C.c. R Fish