New bus station and car park for Bishop Auckland

Durham County Council consults on new interchange plan

Durham County Council has unveiled the design of a new bus station and car park. The proposed bus station and a 120space surface car park would be built on the existing bus station site in Bishop Auckland town centre.

The project will be built using an £11m grant from the government’s Future High Streets Fund on a site behind the Newgate shopping centre, which the local authority bought in 2022.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “Plans to improve sustainable transport and parking in Bishop Auckland are key aspects of our ambitious proposals to regenerate the town.

“We are committed to ensuring it becomes a thriving and attractive hub to everyone who lives and works in, and visits, the area.

“To make sure our plans work for residents, shoppers and businesses, we would encourage as many people as possible to have their say on this consultation. Their feedback can help to bring about positive changes in this community and we want everyone to be part of this exciting journey.”

Plans for the bus station include eight bus stands, improved passenger information boards and seating areas, as well as three entrances and exits and a kiosk area. It would also see improved facilities for passengers, such as an accessible toilet, parent and child facilities and a Changing Places toilet.

The council hopes the new bus station will offering better quality public transport to residents and visitors with the aim of attracting more people into the town centre.

As visitor numbers to Bishop Auckland are expected to significantly increase through a series of regeneration projects, more car parking provision is also required to meet the needs of those visiting the town.

It is proposed that sustainable drainage planters and a water harvesting system will be installed alongside the use of photovoltaic panels to produce energy.

Meanwhile, a new surface level car park that will offer 120 spaces, including electric vehicle charging point bays and spaces for blue badge holders, wheelchair accessible vehicles

Torbay multi-storey car parks undergo £1m upgrade

New payment machines have been installed and lighting upgraded in several Torbay multi-storey car parks in a £1m upgrade programme.

Work got underway in early 2022 with the installation of new ticket machines that offer more flexible payment options to customers and upgrades to lighting at several sites.

Other enhancement works are either completed, underway or are due to get underway and include:

• improved lighting at the Terrace, Victoria, and Beacon Quay car parks

• redecoration of stairwells and lift lobbies at Lower Union Lane, Union Square, Victoria and, Roundham

• re-lining at Broadsands, Breakwater, Youngs Park, Princess Street, Great Western and Station Lane

• extra security gates at Victoria multi-storey car park

• new handrails at Meadfoot Road car park.

Throughout 2023, the refreshing of lines in multistorey and surface level car parks with further lighting improvements, new signage, as well as replacing handrails and vehicle and pedestrian barriers is also due to take place at other parking locations across Torbay.

The Lower Union Lane and Union Square car parks in Torquay are also benefitting from improvements using funding secured through the Safer Streets Funding. These include brand new fire doors on all levels, enhanced security around windows and the installation of motion-activated voice systems on upper levels.

A CCTV camera has been installed in Lower Union Lane, and motorcycles is proposed.

Cllr Scott said: “As well as improved connectivity to the town centre and Newgate Centre, trees and planters will be placed throughout the car park to create a more welcoming and sustainable environment. We are also exploring opportunities to make the existing Newgate Centre car park more user-friendly.” with more cameras due to be installed in Lower Union Lane car park in the next financial year.

It is envisaged that the car park will help to reduce pressure on residential areas when visitor numbers increase for cultural events such as the food festival, Kynren, and other local attractions.

Cllr Mike Morey, cabinet member of infrastructure, environment and culture for Torbay Council, said: The much-needed programme of works has been developed in line with the recommendations from the structural condition surveys which were undertaken in 2022. Years of under investment in Torbay’s car parks left a significant backlog of maintenance and repair issues that our partnership administration is addressing.”

The council has appointed TDA Group to project manage the works. TDA Group, created by Torbay Council in 2011, is a collection of companies offering a range of diversified services spanning business and property services, workspace management and affordable housing.

Park Mark Plus for South Warwickshire Hospital

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust has achieved Park Mark Plus status.

Environmental sustainability is a key focus of the Park Mark Plus. The assessment included the availability of electric charging bays, of which the car park currently has 12, and energy-saving equipment. The car park provides motorcycle parking with helmet lockers and a bug hotel.

Sean Mitchell, security and parking services manager, said:

“When building the MSCP we strived to build a car park that was of the highest quality. It is a real honour to achieve this prestigious award and for our trust’s dedication to provide safe and secure parking for staff to be recognised in this way.”

BPA area manager Matthew Robinson said: “I am delighted that South Warwickshire Hospital MSCP has achieved the Park Mark Plus award, demonstrating their hard work and commitment to provide a safe environment for users.”