Main heading

Growing traffic congestion in many Cheshire towns is a major obstacle to achieving more reliable and punctual services. Bus lanes and bus priorities at traffic signals have already been introduced, notably in Chester. Priority measures will be needed at other locations particularly where buses encounter regular delays.

Bus-only areas and bus priority areas need to be kept free of obstructions by other vehicles. Distinctive markings on the road surface are being introduced to discourage unauthorised vehicles using bus lanes or obstructing bus stops.

At bus stops, such measures as 'clearway' Traffic Orders or redesign of the kerb alignment are used, where necessary, to prevent parking by other vehicles. In some places, physical means, such as bollards that automatically rise after the bus has passed, have been introduced.

New buses are needed with higher standards of comfort and accessibility. Easier boarding, through the use of low floor buses and the installation of raised kerbs, helps people with buggies or heavy shopping, as well as those with mobility difficulties. High quality standards are also being applied to the provision of bus stops, bus shelters and bus stations.

The Cheshire Structure Plan steers new retail, leisure, industrial and business developments to locations where they will be easily accessible by public transport. Developers will be expected to include travel plans in their development proposals and to ensure that occupants put them into practice. Increasing public transport use will be a significant feature of travel plans.

The design and layout of new developments should allow easy access to public transport. In some cases, this will be by a direct pedestrian route to nearby bus stops. On larger sites, it will mean a spine road suitable for buses, which allows all parts of the development to be within easy walking distance of a bus stop. Financial contributions will be sought from developers towards revenue costs or to support infrastructure like bus stops.

Commercial Bus Services and Quality Partnerships

Most scheduled services in Cheshire are provided commercially by bus companies. Quality Partnerships between local authorities and the bus operators are the main tool available to improve commercial bus services. Through these, the Council works to achieve a more integrated public transport network, including better links with rail services.

In conjunction with the bus companies, the Council has established a five-year programme of Quality Partnerships in Cheshire.  Partnerships are improving the reliability and quality of bus travel along the corridors served. The choice of routes has been determined by the operators' judgement of the routes that offer the best prospects for passenger growth and by the Council's priorities for traffic reduction.

Quality Partnerships and Contracts

A 'Quality Partnership' between a Local Authority and the bus operator(s) sets out the actions each will take to improve the bus service(s) along a route and increase bus patronage. These actions usually include new vehicles, bus priority measures, higher quality shelters at stops, and improved passenger information.

The Council's policy within each Quality Partnership is to:

• provide and maintain a modern high quality shelter at main stops;
• provide and maintain a bus departure time display at each stop;
• install raised kerbs at each stop to allow easier boarding onto the bus;
• prevent parking by other vehicles at bus stops through road markings, bus clearway orders or redesign of the road layout;
• implement bus priority where buses experience significant delays;
• monitor bus patronage and modal split along the route; and
• improve the overall bus publicity and information service.

For further information please contact Andrew Ross  01244 973926.