Public Transport Support Policy
Growing traffic congestion in many Cheshire East towns is a
major obstacle to achieving more reliable and punctual services.
Bus lanes and bus priorities at traffic signals have already been
introduced. Priority measures will be needed at other locations
particularly where buses encounter regular delays.
Bus-only areas and bus priority areas need to be kept free of
obstructions by other vehicles. Distinctive markings on the road
surface are being introduced to discourage unauthorised vehicles
using bus lanes or obstructing bus stops.
At bus stops, such measures as 'clearway' Traffic Orders or
redesign of the kerb alignment are used, where necessary, to
prevent parking by other vehicles. In some places, physical means,
such as bollards that automatically rise after the bus has passed,
have been introduced.
New buses are needed with higher standards of comfort and
accessibility. Easier boarding, through the use of low floor buses
and the installation of raised kerbs, helps people with buggies or
heavy shopping, as well as those with mobility difficulties. High
quality standards are also being applied to the provision of bus
stops, bus shelters and bus stations.
The Cheshire East Structure Plan steers new retail, leisure,
industrial and business developments to locations where they will
be easily accessible by public transport. Developers will be
expected to include travel plans in their development proposals and
to ensure that occupants put them into practice. Increasing public
transport use will be a significant feature of travel plans.
The design and layout of new developments should allow easy
access to public transport. In some cases, this will be by a direct
pedestrian route to nearby bus stops. On larger sites, it will mean
a spine road suitable for buses, which allows all parts of the
development to be within easy walking distance of a bus stop.
Financial contributions will be sought from developers towards
revenue costs or to support infrastructure like bus stops.
Commercial Bus Services and Quality Partnerships
Most scheduled services in Cheshire East are provided
commercially by bus companies. Quality Partnerships between local
authorities and the bus operators are the main tool available to
improve commercial bus services. Through these, the Council
works to achieve a more integrated public transport network,
including better links with rail services.
In conjunction with the bus companies, Cheshire East
Council has established a five-year programme of Quality
Partnerships in Cheshire East. Partnerships are improving the
reliability and quality of bus travel along the corridors served.
The choice of routes has been determined by the operators'
judgement of the routes that offer the best prospects for passenger
growth and by Cheshire East Council's priorities for traffic
reduction.
Quality Partnerships and Contracts
A 'Quality Partnership' between a Local Authority and the bus
operator(s) sets out the actions each will take to improve the bus
service(s) along a route and increase bus patronage. These actions
usually include new vehicles, bus priority measures, higher quality
shelters at stops, and improved passenger information.
Cheshire East Council's policy within each Quality Partnership
is to:
- provide and maintain a modern high quality shelter at main
stops;
- provide and maintain a bus departure time display at each
stop;
- install raised kerbs at each stop to allow easier boarding onto
the bus;
- prevent parking by other vehicles at bus stops through road
markings, bus clearway orders or redesign of the road layout;
- implement bus priority where buses experience significant
delays;
- monitor bus patronage and modal split along the route; and
- improve the overall bus publicity and information service.
