|
Plans to cut the amount of spectators using their cars to travel to events at the Kingston Communications Stadium have been outlined in a Green Transport Plan (GTP) produced by stadium consultants Drivers Jonas on behalf of Hull City Council.
Surveys indicate that 76% of spectators intend to travel to the stadium by car when it is officially opened in December. Proposals included in the GTP aim to cut this figure considerably over the next three or four years by encouraging spectators to use alternative means of transport to travel to and from the stadium.
The GTP highlights the fact that spectators will be able to take advantage of the excellent public transport service on offer to the stadium, with frequent bus services running along Spring Bank West and Anlaby Road. The main city bus station is situated less than 1km away and new footbridge and footpath links to Londesborough Street have been constructed to improve links to the stadium from the city centre.
The GTP also indicates that improved footpath links from the city centre and the location of Paragon Station less than 1km away will encourage more spectators to travel to events by train. The possibility for the construction of a rail halt serving both the stadium and Hull Royal Infirmary still remains and is being looked into.
It is estimated that a large amount of spectators will walk to the stadium from residential areas, the city centre, and park and walk sites and with this in mind new pedestrian routes are being provided both to the stadium and within West Park. Traffic calming and pedestrian measures will be introduced at junctions around the park and Londesborough Street/ Derringham Street to cater for the numbers likely to approach by foot.
At present, there are not a significant number of cyclists travelling to Boothferry Park or the Boulevard and national experience has shown that few people choose to cycle to sports events. However, in a bid to encourage spectators to get on their bikes 220 cycle parking spaces that are covered by CCTV surveillance have been provided within the stadium complex.
Taking each of these measures into account, it is hoped that in the future the amount of spectators choosing to travel to the stadium by bus, train, bicycle and foot will increase significantly, however it is anticipated that old habits will die hard and some spectators will choose to travel to the stadium by private car.
A planning condition stipulated that no more than 1700 car parking spaces, one for every 15 seats, should be provided adjacent to the venue. Of these 1700 spaces, 600 are provided in the car park immediately south of the stadium and 1100 in the existing Walton Street car park. All of these spaces have been sold as part of an inclusive corporate entertainment package or on a full season pass basis and are strictly available to permit holders only.
Spectators without permits can use the soon to be completed Park and Ride site situated at Priory Park and the existing Walton Street Park and Ride, which will provide a bus link from the city centre. Satellite car parks situated around the city centre will be available, including Pryme Street, George Street, Francis Street, Mason Street and Osbourne Street. Parking will also be available at Hull Royal Infirmary, St Andrews Quay, St Stephens Square, Boothferry Park, the Boulevard, Louis Pearlman; Goulton Street and Smith & Nephew; Rawling Way.
On street parking will be available on National Avenue and the industrial area south of Hessle Road, but parking in neighbourhoods to the north, west and east of West Park will be restricted when events are taking place. These are the same areas that are covered by the Residential Parking Permit scheme that exists for the annual Hull Fair event, but the scheme will now come into force permanently.
John Topliss, Stadium Project Manager, said "We are encouraging spectators to use public transport wherever possible to get to the stadium and we anticipate that many residents of the city will choose to get a a bus into town and either walk or take a further bus".
"We are asking for spectators to be smarter and sympathetic to residents of the area around the stadium and avoid parking in residential areas. Anyone found parking in the restricted areas around the stadium complex without a pass will be ticketed and fined."
Graham Hall, Group Manager Integrated Transport, said "We are hoping people travelling by car will consider using Park and Ride as an alternative to getting to the venue. The stadium also benefits from excellent public transport links and we hope that spectators will give these a try."
|
