West Cornwall Transport Interchange

June 2012

West Cornwall Transport Interchangekey messagesAn overview of the project proposals

Connecting Cornwall: 2030

IntroductionThe new Transport Interchange at St Erth station will become the focal point for sustainable transport in West Cornwall. The project has the potential to address road congestion problems, connect key centres and generate sustainable commuting patterns, creating the right conditions for economic growth and business opportunity.

Travel around the West Cornwall area is dominated by the private motor vehicle and at present there are few opportunities to leave the car behind and take an alternative mode of transport. However, a park and ride facility for St Ives has operated successfully for many years managing the high volume of summer visitors to this popular resort.

The need for a park and ride facility for the wider West Cornwall area was first identified in 2005. Transport studies assessed 11 potential transport hub sites and St Erth station was chosen as the preferred location. It offered the opportunity to cater for journeys to multiple destinations by capitalising on its location at the junction of the Penzance to London line and the St Ives branch line and at the termination of the improved section of the A30 trunk road to the east.

To help resolve the traffic congestion problems, encourage modal shift, and ‘kick start’ investment in the West Cornwall area, Cornwall Council are proposing to establish a major transport interchange at St Erth station.

CornwallTo St Ives

To Penzance

Proposed West Cornwall Transport Interchange

Hayle

St. Erth

A30Rail line

2 West Cornwall Transport Interchange key messages

Traffic has grown across the county by approximately 17% between 2000 and 2010. The situation is exacerbated on the A30 and other key local roads by the significant increase in traffic generated during the summer holiday period with around 70% of visitors choosing car based travel options. The rural settlement pattern of the West Cornwall area also means travel for work, shopping or education is predominantly car based. This puts a great deal of pressure on the A30 and county roads, resulting in congestion on the road network being an increasing challenge for all travellers in West Cornwall, leading to lengthy queues, rat running along narrow local lanes and increased noise and pollution. The situation is significantly worse during the holiday season, especially in June, July and August, with the influx of holidaymakers and day trippers.

These problems, exacerbated by a lack of alternative modes of transport and poor connections between them, are discouraging investment in West Cornwall. The existing park and ride at Lelant is remote from the main rail line and thus can not perform the function of a transport interchange for West Cornwall.

The current pressures on primary routes are predicted to increase as a result of the key future developments planned for Truro, Camborne, Pool, Redruth and Hayle under the emerging Core Strategy. Such development requires an integrated approach to housing, employment and transport infrastructure in order to mitigate some of the problems that could be experienced: unrestrained car growth, further congestion, further stress on town centre car parks, delayed bus reliability. With no improvements planned for the A30 west of Hayle, the provision of sustainable transport options will be key to managing existing congestion and the expected growth associated with developments in this area.

Existing situation Poor connectivity

Above: Poor connectivity and growing congestion can limit inward investment in the area

Right: Existing congestion at St Erth Station Junction on A30

Despite high traffic volumes on the A30 (causing congestion at peak times, reducing

journey time reliability and causing queues), there are no plans for future trunk road

improvements west of St Erth roundabout

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Constrained Existing Park and Ride Facility for St IvesA basic ‘park and rail’ facility for 250 vehicles already exists at Lelant Saltings station, part-way along the St Ives branch line. The facility has very successfully served St Ives but it can no longer meet demand. Recent housing development around the entrance to the park and ride site has made access more difficult, no bus services call there and it is not linked to walking or cycling routes serving the surrounding area.

Rail Infrastructure at St ErthSt Erth rail station is located at the junction of the Penzance to London (Paddington) main line and the St Ives branch line. The station buildings are Grade 2 listed and, although well maintained, suffer from a range of limitations. The key issues of the station currently are:

waiting area has no heating

tactile information and no step free access between the platforms

Existing park and ride facility at Lelant serving the St Ives branch line

Poor station facilities at St Erth


Scheme objectivesTo encourage a shift from private vehicles to more sustainable transport modes for both tourists and commutersTo remove traffic on the main roads, especially the A30, and reduce delaysTo encourage investment in the West Cornwall areaTo assist in achieving carbon reduction targets

The proposal To address the issues discussed, Cornwall Council are proposing to establish a major transport interchange at St Erth station.

A30 JunctionThe proposed junction improvements for the A30 and Station Approach will introduce signal control and additional lanes for turning traffic to increase capacity, regulate traffic flows and improve safety. Drainage and street lighting improvements are also being made. Existing bus stops on the A30 will be relocated and enhanced pedestrian crossing facilities provided. A new shared use pedestrian and cycle facility will be provided on the northern side of the junction.

Park and RideThree car parks, providing 752 parking spaces will be introduced surrounding the railway station. The car parks have been designed to sit sympathetically within the landscape and use a palette of high quality materials and planting taking inspiration from the settings. Clearly-signed, safe, pedestrian routes will facilitate movement through the site and provision will also be made for cyclists. New signage will link the site to existing walking and cycle routes. New bus facilities constructed adjacent to the station ticket office will include low floor bus boarders and shelters along with real time information. A separate Local Sustainable Transport Fund bid is also being used to develop proposals for a number of off-road cycle and pedestrian routes, radiating from the site to connect it with surrounding settlements.

StationThe Transport Interchange facility will include significant enhancements to the existing railway station. It is proposed to refurbish the station building interior to provide a waiting room /

facilities will be provided. Pedestrian access around the station will be improved and a new step free pedestrian bridge, linking the two main line platforms and providing access to the southern car park, will be introduced. Historic features will be refurbished, landscaping enhanced and new seating provided. In addition to the station improvements described above, the Train Operating Company has agreed to provide an additional coach on the St Ives Branch Line during the summer period to cater for the expected additional patronage.

Subject to Listed Bld Consent Jul 2012

Planning subject to bid Mar 2012

Planning consent granted for 1st phase

Planning consent granted

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General layout plan of the transport interchange

New signal controlled junction

including additional lanes, new uncontrolled pedestrian crossings and a shared used cycle/ pedestrian facility

A30 to H

ayle

A30 to

Penzance

Railway to

Penzance

New step free

footbridge

Overflow car park 232 spaces using a low impact design (subject to future planning consent)


Refurbished

and improved

station building

Railway to London

(Paddington)

North car park 99 spaces, landscape areas, new RTPI ready bus stops, taxi rank, drop off point and cycle storage facilities

South car park 421 spaces in a landscaped park with cycle storage facilities, safe pedestrian links (including an alternative access to the station from Treloweth Lane) and creation of new habitats

© Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049047.

You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

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Project costs and benefits CostsThe estimated costs of the project are:

Car parks £5.25mNorth CP £2.42m South CP £2.28m Overflow CP £0.55m

Junction improvement £1.73mStation enhancements £1.80mStep free rail bridge £1.80mPreparation costs £1.42mTotal £12.0m

The major scheme budget is £8.9m with funding anticipated as follows:

EU Convergence Fund (assumes a 48% intervention level) £4.25m Cornwall Council Local Transport Plan £2.65m DfT “Access for All” Grant £1.80m Rail Heritage Trust £0.20m Total £8.9m

Benefits:Connectivity and sustainable transport

By bringing together private vehicles, buses and trains and providing the necessary infrastructure, modal shift can be facilitated. This will provide enhanced travel choices and encourage the use of more sustainable transport options with transfer to rail playing a key role.

Implementation of the facilities will assist delivery of the Council’s transport strategy for the West Cornwall area in particular, with the emphasis on the promotion of non-car travel for part of some journeys. It will make a positive contribution to environmental sustainability and improved accessibility for visitors and residents alike, and will facilitate the implementation of the St Ives Parking Strategy.

Location of a transport hub at St Erth Railway Station provides the opportunity to encourage car free travel to a wide range of destinations (Penzance, Truro, St Austell, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne and Redruth), broadening choices for travel to work, education, shopping and leisure. To enable work place travel plans for new developments to be effective this new transport hub will provide facility for a switch to rail based travel.

In addition the proposed scheme will be linked to all existing pedestrian and cycle routes in the area and additional proposals, under a current Local Sustainable Transport Fund bid, aim to make significant improvements to connectivity, providing alternative safe walking and cycling routes to the South West Coast Path and to connect local settlements and the transport hub.


Proposed facility brings together private vehicles with train and bus services, enhancing travel choice and promoting the use of more sustainable transport options.

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Economic benefits

St Erth is located centrally between Penzance, St Ives and the Camborne – Pool – Redruth (CPR) area. CPR is currently expanding as part of a regeneration package providing up to 6,000 new jobs and 6000 new homes. A transport hub at St Erth will assist in alleviating any negative transport impacts of the CPR regeneration. By relieving the A30 trunk road of some traffic, employment proposals in the wider West Cornwall area will be less constrained by traffic impacts.

For tourists, the hub will provide a modern high quality facility not only serving the St Ives branch line but also the main line to Penzance and towards Truro and St Austell, thus allowing visitors to avoid congestion on the roads in the area.

Environment

An Environmental Appraisal was completed for the project to support the planning process. This assessment concluded that impacts will be minimal and these can be effectively mitigated by new landscape planting and habitat creation, archaeological recording and sustainable urban drainage proposals.

DeliverabilityPlanning consent for the A30 improvement and car park elements was granted on 8 March 2012.

The station enhancements, which complement and complete the project proposals will not need planning permission as they are deemed permitted development under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Network Rail are anticipating submission of a Listed Building Consent in June / July 2012.

Assuming the Network Rail application is also successful the continuing development programme will be:

2011

2012

2013

2014

Preliminary design and consultations2006 - 2011

Completed/in progress

Programmed to start

Planning submission (car parks)Nov 2011

Planning consentMarch 2012

Detailed designMarch 2012 - Sept 2012

EDRF Convergence funding applicationSummer 2012 Procurement

Oct 2012 - Jan 2013

Start of construction worksSpring 2013

Facility opensSpring 2014

Listed building consent application (station proposals)June 2012

Listed building consentJuly to September 2012


Key outcomesDelivery of the major scheme is an integral part of the approved transport strategy for Cornwall.

The scheme would:

Play a key role in ensuring the future prosperity of West Cornwall, acting as a catalyst for economic growth, aiding regeneration and business expansion, and supporting tourism

Improve the interconnectivity of different modes of transport for commuters, businesses and visitors alike

Allow EU Convergence funding to be secured to support regeneration investment through the enabled delivery of employment projects in West Cornwall

Reduce reliance on the use of the private car in a rural area

Assist in protecting the environment in the West Cornwall area

Aspirations Cornwall Council is currently seeking to influence the Department for Transport’s

specification for the Great Western rail franchise (2013-2028). Among improvements sought is a 1/2 hourly main line train service, improving connectivity.

A Local Sustainable Transport Fund bid to improve local walking and cycling routes surrounding and to / from the rail station has been submitted to the DfT for consideration.

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To view the West Cornwall Transport Interchange major scheme details see: www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=28813

If you would like this information in another format or language please contact: Cornwall Council, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AYor telephone: 0300 1234 100 email: [email protected] www.cornwall.gov.uk Printed on recycled paper.

Jb29564 05/12

For more information please contact:

Nicola Yeates,

Major Projects Team Leader

Cornwall Council

Transportation

Tel: 01872 224 228

[email protected]

www.cornwall.gov.uk

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West Cornwall Transport Interchange

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