Park and ride scheme plans hit the brakes

5:03pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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By Paul Cook »

PROPOSALS for a park and ride scheme to cut traffic levels in Darlington are set to be shelved because its "potential use is limited".

Darlington Borough Council commissioned a report by transport consultants Atkins Highway two years ago to explore plans for the project.

The final report, which was presented to Darlington Transport Forum, will also be discussed by the council's cabinet next week.

Officers have recommended to cabinet that investigations into the scheme should be abandoned, at least temporarily, and reviewed again when funding decisions are made on new Tees Valley bus and rail systems.

The consultants had identified two sites where trial proposals could be run. They said either the Darlington Arena site, on the A66, of West Auckland Road, at the junction with the A68 and A1(M) could have been used as the parking areas.

Both sites could attract up to 300 passengers per day. They and four other sites were modelled by the consultants.

The feasibility study was commissioned to particularly cut congestion in West Auckland Road and North Road. Figures showed more than half of commuters journeys came from the north of the town.

However Simon Holdsworth, the council's transport policy manager, voiced caution to the scheme because users would be travelling onto different parts of the town.

The majority of trips are to employment sites, scattered on the outskirts of the town, to visit friends and to various leisure and education sites.

Mr Holdsworth said: "To be a successful park and ride, it has to be attractive as an alternative to the car.

"It is something that you would have if you have got traffic between two specific points.

"It is no good to serve a car-borne market going to lots of places."

Mr Holdsworth added potential use in Darlington would be limited.

The feasibility study also estimated that annual usage figures and annual costs would be significantly higher than the annual income.

A report, by Richard Alty, the assistant chief executive of regeneration, to be put before the cabinet, said: "The feasibility study shows that there is currently insufficient demand to develop a business case.

"Providing high quality public transport for inter urban trips may provide alternatives to the development of park and ride schemes."