Do we really need more Park and Ride? And my Defence.

The Bristol Evening Post have printed an article about the Portway Park and Ride and are the first in three weeks to get a comment from Bristol City Council because before that they remained silent.


The comments in the article is actually taken from the following Indymedia feature which I gave them permission to use, so by all means compare the items (And read the various blogs on this page):
http://www.bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=26923


I had to laugh when I was called a campaigner ...... ummmm I am actually a concerned resident. So I want to get that straight and thanks for letting me know I am married?!!!!!!.


I am not urging residents to oppose the plans but ask questions about this project because a lot of information in the leaflet is clever marketing and hidden phrases that are not explained.


I haven't said Park and Rides don't work what I have said they work very well when they are in the right places. The community recently lost the 57 bus with no consultation and I don't want to see that with the Park and Ride - I used the business plan bit as the best way to describe things - go the same way because 'the Council got it wrong'. People are using the P&R service so why should they loose out? The Council have weakness's to work on before expanding and worded phrases such as 'I think' and 'had potential' when speaking to the media give doubt on their side, are they confident? No? All I am saying is wait and see and revise findings at a later date when they are more reliable.


There are a couple phrases from Mark Bradshaw city council's executive member for transport that cause me doubts:

"the site had potential to be much more effective."
"If we make it more attractive and improve signs on the motorway then I think it can be much more effective."


The Bristol Evening Post failed to mention that a web site and discussion group are available on the internet so I guess it'll be a letter to the Evening Post's letter page because readers are only getting part of the picture.


As of today questions sent to the local Councillors about the proposed expansion I have not had a response or acknowledgement from but I have already been told by other organisations that they have "also had problems with both councillors, and a long history of not replying to letters or emails."


I also sent the questions to the Environment, Transport and Leisuire Department including their Director, so I await a response from them.


----------------------------------------


DO WE REALLY NEED MORE PARK AND RIDE?


BY RUPERT JANISCH R.JANISCH


10:40 - 12 October 2007


A campaigner from Shirehampton is urging residents to oppose plans to expand the park-and-ride scheme on the Portway.


Bristol City Council wants to add 500 car parking spaces to the 320 already at the facility, which is on the A4 just next to the M5 bridge.


The expansion is part of the city council's plans to get more people using the bus into the city centre, particularly when the new Cabot Circus shopping centre opens next year.


But Kathryn Courtney-O'Neill, a Shirehampton resident who has been living in the area for 42 years, said the existing site was rarely full.


She said there was no proof that more park-and-ride services were needed and said there were other priorities for the city council to worry about first.


The Portway site has been open for more than five years and is operated by Wessex Connect, which runs buses every 15 minutes to the city centre.


Mark Bradshaw, the city council's executive member for transport, said the site had potential to be much more effective.


But Mrs Courtney-O'Neill said: "I have my doubts with this expansion.


"We should leave it as it is for the moment because it has failed to reach expectations so far. Like any business, if you are making a profit and demand has increased beyond your capacity, you expand, make further profit and continue growing.


"But what if you are a business that has failed to reach expectations, want to expand and research carried out isn't solid?


"You work on your weakness and solve it, get into profit, increase demand and try again.


"Park and rides have to be able to sustain themselves, support themselves and make a profit to survive and re-invest. As with anything new, once the curiosity in Cabot Circus dies down people will revert to habit.


"This park and ride was open before Broadmead was demolished and the city has other attractions to encourage people to make use of it.


"Which begs the question why aren't people using the Portway park and ride to get to them?


"I encourage people to ask questions and get answers in plain English, not be fobbed off with jargon."


Mr Bradshaw said: "For every one person who says the park and ride doesn't work, you get many more saying it's a good thing. We already have this site and we recognise that the Portway is one of the key routes into the city centre.


"If we make it more attractive and improve signs on the motorway then I think it can be much more effective.


"We are very keen on park and ride and we clearly have to do more to promote the benefits of it.


"We are currently undergoing a period of consultation prior to any planning application going in."


Web site link:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&c..18649967&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144912