Merry Hill better bus scheme

[winston]

The latest news I have is that the initial agreement between Westfield and Centro has been signed, and detailed design work will be undertaken over the next 3 to 4 months.

Work on both the new road layout and the new Bus Station will start next March with completion of the entire scheme before the end of October 2014. 

The new Bus Station will have 2 stands more than the existing one.  There are two options for the site of the new Bus Station.  It could be on the site of the existing one (extended into the adjoining car park).  The alternative is to take over the car park alongside the Asda petrol station.  If the second option was taken, it would probably be possible to use the existing Bus Station while the new one is being built.

Thanks for the update Roy!

Whichever site is chosen, the new bus station needs to be linked in to one of the main shopping centre entrances via a completed enclosed glass walkway with automated doors exiting to buses, this will ensure that bus passengers can exit the shopping centre & jump straight on to their bus without being exposed to the elements. Additionally, access for cars through Times Square Avenue should be banned, with that section being buses only. Cars should not be allowed past the Asda petrol station or the last entrance/exit of the car parks in front of Matalan regardless of which site is chosen

Great to hear from you again, Winston! Your view above is very valid.

Cheers Rat  ;)

[Roy]

Unfortunately, I've heard that there not be traffic free transfer from the buses into the shopping centre.  There will be crossing points, but on bus only roads. 

I would have liked to have seen something like the bus station at Gateshead Metrocentre, where there is a large island platform with about 10 bus stands, and escalators and a bridge link take you directly into the top floor of the shopping centre.

[winston]

Unfortunately, I've heard that there not be traffic free transfer from the buses into the shopping centre.  There will be crossing points, but on bus only roads. 

I would have liked to have seen something like the bus station at Gateshead Metrocentre, where there is a large island platform with about 10 bus stands, and escalators and a bridge link take you directly into the top floor of the shopping centre.

Roy,

That's what it needs to make bus travel more attractive to shoppers, it still sounds as thought the new bus station will offer little more than the current one does.....

[richie]

Unfortunately, I've heard that there not be traffic free transfer from the buses into the shopping centre.  There will be crossing points, but on bus only roads. 

I would have liked to have seen something like the bus station at Gateshead Metrocentre, where there is a large island platform with about 10 bus stands, and escalators and a bridge link take you directly into the top floor of the shopping centre.

Roy,

That's what it needs to make bus travel more attractive to shoppers, it still sounds as thought the new bus station will offer little more than the current one does.....

I wonder if the centre has a real commitment to public transport or just a token gesture? Build a good infrastructure put in place light rail also and they could easily charge a couple of quid for parking

[winston]

Unfortunately, I've heard that there not be traffic free transfer from the buses into the shopping centre.  There will be crossing points, but on bus only roads. 

I would have liked to have seen something like the bus station at Gateshead Metrocentre, where there is a large island platform with about 10 bus stands, and escalators and a bridge link take you directly into the top floor of the shopping centre.

Roy,

That's what it needs to make bus travel more attractive to shoppers, it still sounds as thought the new bus station will offer little more than the current one does.....

I wonder if the centre has a real commitment to public transport or just a token gesture? Build a good infrastructure put in place light rail also and they could easily charge a couple of quid for parking

Token gesture me thinks, sounds as though it will be a let down by the time it's finally completed

[richie]

Unfortunately, I've heard that there not be traffic free transfer from the buses into the shopping centre.  There will be crossing points, but on bus only roads. 

I would have liked to have seen something like the bus station at Gateshead Metrocentre, where there is a large island platform with about 10 bus stands, and escalators and a bridge link take you directly into the top floor of the shopping centre.

Roy,

That's what it needs to make bus travel more attractive to shoppers, it still sounds as thought the new bus station will offer little more than the current one does.....

I wonder if the centre has a real commitment to public transport or just a token gesture? Build a good infrastructure put in place light rail also and they could easily charge a couple of quid for parking

Token gesture me thinks, sounds as though it will be a let down by the time it's finally completed

Let's hope it doesn't follow suit as with newer stations and become smaller :-(

[Roy]

I understand that the new Bus Station site has been decided and will be on the car park between the filling station and the current bus station.  The current bus station will be used while the new one is being built.  Timescales are still the same with work starting in March 2014 for completion in October 2014.  The new bus station will have more departure stands and drop-off points than the current one. 

I don't know when the plans are to be made public.

[andrew1991]

i'd have thought it would be more awkward having it there with all the cars queuing for petrol. thought the idea was to segregate buses from other traffic

[winston]

i'd have thought it would be more awkward having it there with all the cars queuing for petrol. thought the idea was to segregate buses from other traffic

I think the main decision for choosing that site was to be able to keep the current bus station open whilst the new one is built.

I think the bus station entrance/exit should be located on the either on to The Boulevard or at the top of Times Square Avenue to segregate buses from cars. I also think that the extent of the bus station should run up to Lloyds TSB Bank & the back of TK Maxx and be covered with a canopy to provide bus passengers with a seamless exit on to buses from the shopping centre

[andrew1991]

http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/betterbybus/BBBIndex.aspx it seems NWM want people to park for free in Cradley Heath and pay to catch the bus to Merry Hill even though parking at merry hill is also free.

[winston]

http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/betterbybus/BBBIndex.aspx it seems NWM want people to park for free in Cradley Heath and pay to catch the bus to Merry Hill even though parking at merry hill is also free.

The only way that would ever happen is if the roads around Merry Hill become snarled up with traffic and once the new bus lanes are completed that car drivers can see buses disappearing off in the distance whilst they've only moved a short distance. But I don't think the planned bus lanes/bus only gates will be that extensive so the car will still rule for Merry Hill

[Kevin]

Are any of the roads between Cradley and Merry Hill wide enough to have normal lanes of traffic and bus lanes?

[winston]

Are any of the roads between Cradley and Merry Hill wide enough to have normal lanes of traffic and bus lanes?

Nope, as I understand it the bus lanes/gates are confined to within the shopping centre complex or main junctions exiting the complex

[Stu]

Not unless they knock down Quarry Bank town centre to make the road wider!  ;D

Instead of promoting parking for cars at Cradley Heath, they'd do better to encourage people to take the train to Cradley Heath, from where they can catch a bus to Merry Hill.

[Roy]

As a matter of interest, how are they going to park at Cradley Heath station car park during the week ?  The car park is full by 8.00 a.m.