Notes on transport and access proposals
Positives
· Bath is a regional transportation hub. Would be impossible to locate a stadium in the city centre if this were not the case
· Nearly half of fans travel by public transport (47%, about 30% by train) or by P and R.
· No dedicated parking provided at the stadium
· Almost all fans reach the stadium itself on foot
Negatives
· Nearly 40% (36.2%) of fans arrive as car drivers or passengers. Need to get this number down. This is about reducing both congestion and air quality
· Cars circulate in search of parking adding to harmful emissions
· Illegal parking rife in residential streets around the stadium and there is a lack of policing and enforcement
· Serious pedestrian congestion in streets around the stadium. Pedestrian links to city centre inadequate. About a third of supporters spend about four hours in the city centre in addition to match time
Solutions
· Encourage greater use of public transport and P and R.
· Incentives: discounted tickets, beer vouchers, etc
· Batheaston P and R essential to provide additional capacity
· Following line upgrades new trains could enhance capacity
· Incentives to increase use of buses. No current changes to match day timetables
· Improve pedestrian access to the stadium. New foot/cycle bridge across the river linking stadium and sports centre to the city centre.
· Extra parking enforcement on match days, tow trucks, enhanced penalties, etc.
· Ban on coaches leaving engines running
· More bike racks