Hull City Council has released a new concept video and images showing how the city’s park and ride could look after a proposed transformation.
As part of its efforts to reduce traffic in the city centre and encourage alternative forms of transport, the council wants to turn the existing Priory Park & Ride, off the A63 Clive Sullivan Way in west Hull, into an environmentally friendly transport hub, providing integrated multi-modal travel options and a high-quality customer experience.
The new visualisations demonstrate how the Priory Park transport hub would offer, among other things, solar canopies, electric vehicle charging, improved waiting areas, better passenger information, and enhanced security.
The innovative plans include:
- Real-time bus information screens;
- Integrated journey planner touchscreens;
- Refreshment facilities;
- Office space;
- Parcel delivery lockers;
- Electric buses;
- Solar energy canopies;
- Electric vehicle charging;
- Electric bicycle/scooter charging;
- Secure bicycle parking;
- Priority parking;
- Public bicycle sharing scheme;
- Digital support for visually impaired bus passengers;
- Improved CCTV;
- 24/7 help points;
- Luggage/shopping trolleys;
- Bee-friendly living roof.
The park and ride is a key part of the recently launched Hull Bus Service Improvement Plan, which in turn forms part of the ambitious Hull 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy.
The council this week announced its participation in the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign, encouraging local businesses and residents to drive down their emissions and take positive action on climate change.
Councillor Dean Kirk, portfolio holder for transport, roads and highways, said: “We are excited to today unveil our vision for the future of Priory Park & Ride.
“While just a concept at this stage, this innovative, environmentally friendly transport hub would offer a much-improved passenger experience to encourage more people to leave their cars, choose greener forms of transport and play their part in tackling climate change.
“With the right investment, we believe the park and ride has a key role to play in changing the way people travel in our city.
“We hope to be able to make this vision a reality over the next couple of years as we continue our drive to make Hull a carbon-neutral city by 2030.”
View the slideshow …
Working in partnership
The 650-space park and ride facility, in Henry Boot Way, is linked to the city centre by a Stagecoach bus service, which currently runs from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.
Extra services are also provided for football and rugby fixtures at the MKM Stadium, as well as for Hull Fair and other large events in the city centre, such as the Freedom Festival.
The council hopes to be able to extend these hours of operation, with buses running seven days a week.
The newly formed Enhanced Bus Partnership will also explore ways to reduce the journey times from and to the park and ride.
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, we are focused on rebuilding the bus network to support Hull’s local economy.
“Park and Ride is a vital aspect of the city’s future transport strategy, encouraging commuters and visitors to leave their cars and make the last part of their journey in a more environmentally friendly way, helping to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
“We are excited by Hull City Council’s vision for Priory Park, which plans for excellent customer facilities with innovative new ideas to enhance the experience of Park and Ride in Hull.”
“We look forward to working in partnership to make this virtual concept a reality in the near future.”
Other options also being explored for the park and ride site include:
- Designated section of the car park for carpooling;
- Pick-up point for coach holidays;
- HGV park / rest area;
- Opportunities for sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) to help flood prevention.
As part of the Hull Bus Service Improvement Plan, the council is also exploring options for park and ride facilities to the north and the east of the city, in addition to and/or integrated with transport hubs.
(Visualisations by Space Architects)
Find out more about the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign.
