Bridgnorth park and ride trial could launch by Easter
Park and ride buses could be operating in Bridgnorth as soon as Easter, according to a new report.
The buses are planned to help alleviate problems with town centre parking at weekends, which is close to capacity.
Now a report by members of Bridgnorth Town Centre Steering Group has suggested the Park and Ride service would run between Easter and September, initially on a trial basis.
An agreement has been reached in principle to use the cattle market off Wenlock Road in nearby Tasley free of charge.
Money would be made available through Shropshire Council's Market Towns Revitalisation Scheme. The authority has allocated £100,000 to the town to spend on community projects.
The steering group will report its findings to Bridgnorth Town Council before a decision is made.
The report states motorists were circulating the town looking for parking spaces on Saturdays, with some choosing not to stop. It suggests a trial Park and Ride service operating free of charge would help to test if the scheme would work in the long term. Benefits from the scheme could include less congestion, improved safety for pedestrians, improved air quality and easier access for those walking around the town centre.
An offer to improve the existing condition of the parking area has been proposed, with plans to build a shelter for passengers waiting at the market.
The route would also run between the market and the existing bus stops on Old Smithfield Road.
The report suggests community groups could initially steward parking at the site.
The report states: "Initially temporary signage would be used to direct users to the park and ride. This would be operated by Bridgnorth Town Council.
"If successful more permanent signs could be used in the future."
Large shelters could replaced existing shelters in Old Smithfield Road but only if further investigations prove they were needed. Passenger transport specialist at Shropshire Council have advised contingency plans would need to be in place if any of the vehicles broke down.
The council's passenger transport service has offered to support the project by ensuring all operators are pre-approved in terms of insurance and public reliability, and to check the condition of the vehicles.
