Pointless Bus Gate?

One of the late service change notices that came through last week was for the 52 which serves Plympton and Derriford Hospital. I went to have a closer look at the new route and the reason for the change, or at least the new Bus Gate…

The new route in and out of Derriford Hospital

The new Bus Gate is at the crossover right next to St Matthews School on the map.

which allows buses to turn into Brest Road after coming off the Platinum Parkway. The buses then continue up to the roundabout then along Brest Road to Derriford Hospital via Morlaix Drive. On the return from Derriford Hospital buses have to come down William Prance Road (from the left in the photo above and then turn right onto The Parkway. It all looks very nice with the red bus lanes etc but I still dont really understand why the bus gate is needed as buses previously ran up William Prance Road to the roundabout. It would just make more sense for the route to be the same in both directions.
The 52 is the only route to come up through The parkway with its nice smart bus lanes. When the route was first diverted to use the new road it was officially non stop along this section which seemed a bit pointless although now to looks like all stops are served although for some reason this stop is shows as a temporary bus stop!

If only the timing was better I would use this route myself – I would have to wait another twenty minutes for this bus to turn around and come back down the hill…

Bus Stops and Timetables

Over the last few days more new service changes for September have trickled through

First South West Ltd

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes
PH0004983.202	900	Fraddon	Truro	01-Sep-2024	timetable vary
PH0004983.407	950	Boscastle	Wadebridge	01-Sep-2024	Revised timetable
PH0004983.427	L2	Coverack	Helston	01-Sep-2024	Revised timetable - No significant changes.
PH0004983.171	U4 (U4X)	Falmouth	Penzance	01-Sep-2024	Route and timetable variation - No significant changes.

Plymouth Citybus (Go Cornwall)

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes
PH0000135.223	8	Long Rock	St Just	02-Sep-2024	Revise route for journeys serving Cape Cornwall School & revise timetable accordingly Journeys serving Cape Cornwall School are revised to operate via Newlyn and Lamorna Turn.
PH0000135.161	12 12A 178	Plymouth	Bude	01-Sep-2024	Revise times for Budehaven School and add 178 No significant changes other than to address reliability at peak times and accommodate revised timings at Budehaven School. 178 Route revised to start from Bude.  A revised timetable will be introduced.
PH0000135.275	15	Hayle	Penzance	02-Sep-2024	REvise route of journeys serving Hayle Academy & revise timetable accordingly TFC: No significant changes.
PH0000135.227	21	St Austell	Newquay	01-Sep-2024	Journeys serving school in St Austell operate via Whitemoor. Route and timetable adjusted accordingly
PH0000135.228	22	St Austell	Truro	01-Sep-2024	Significant timing changes at school times to accommodate revised session times at Brannel School.
PH0000135.230	25 24S	Newquay	Fowey	02-Sep-2024	The timetable generally revised by 5 minutes later to remove the potential of buses arriving at Middleway Level Crossing when the crossing is in operation.  Some more significant timing changes at school times to accommodate revised session times at Brannel School and provide a new link to Penrice School from St Stephen.
PH0000135.351	25	Newquay	Fowey	02-Sep-2024	The timetable generally revised by 5 minutes later to remove the potential of buses arriving at Middleway Level Crossing when the crossing is in operation.  Some more significant timing changes at school times to accommodate revised session times at Brannel School and provide a new link to Penrice School from St Stephen.
PH0000135.246	56	Padstow	Newquay	01-Sep-2024	No significant changes to Monday to Fridays. Saturday timetable returns to winter operation (reduced provision between Trevarian and Padstow)

Stagecoach Devon Ltd

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes
PH1020951.433	21	Barnstaple	Bideford / Ilfracombe	02-Sep-2024	Addition of 00:00 Barnstaple to Bideford journey to replace 00:05 journey withdrawn for the winter season for the last day of operation on 7th September
PH1020951.326	87 (87A)	Tavistock	Bere Alston	01-Sep-2024	To amend the route Inbound ONLY at Gulworthy due to safety concerns on the A390 junction
PH1020951.383	301	Combe Martin	Barnstaple	01-Sep-2024	Addition of a 14:50 Friday School terms only journey from Ilfracombe academy to Combe Martin to match to align with Academy Friday end of day. Minor timetable changes to improve the reliability and punctuality of buses, including providing more robust connections with rail services at Barnstaple Railway Station. To provide additional capacity for students travelling to and from Ilfracombe Academy, the majority of journeys will be operated by double decker buses. To facilitate the earlier finish time at Ilfracombe Academy on a Friday an additional journey will operate on schooldays between Ilfracombe Academy and Combe Martin at 1450.
PH1020951.313	663S	Chulmleigh Health Centre	South Molton CC, NE-bound	01-Sep-2024	Change of terminus from Chulmleigh Leigh Cross to Chulmleigh Health Centre
PH1020951.074	B (21B 21C)	Science Park	Exminster	01-Sep-2024	The Monday to Friday peak daytime frequency will be increased to every 20 minutes, providing an additional journey opportunity each hour. Buses will now operate via Matford Park Road to avoid peak time congestion and no longer serve Hennock Road East, Silverton Road and Matford Way. The new timetable has been designed to offer better coordinated frequencies in both Marsh Barton (see below) and Whipton, where a 10 minute Monday to Friday (15 minute Saturday) frequency is offered in conjunction with Services I/J. SERVICE B - 21B/21C LOOKS LIKE AN ERROR ON THE REGISTRATION?
PH1020951.060	I (J)	Digby or Whipton Barton	Countess Wear, Digby	01-Sep-2024	Monday to Friday daytime frequency between approximately 0700 and 1700 will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes on both Services I and J, providing an additional journey opportunity each hour. The new timetable has been designed to offer a better coordinated frequency with Service B in Whipton, with buses operating up to every 10 minutes. Off peak journeys around Digby Drive, Clyst Halt Avenue and Russell Way on Monday to Saturday will be removed due to low passenger demand. Evening departures are revised to ensure better co-ordination with other services over common sections of route.

Derriford Hospital Bus Stops

New, more modern bus shelters will soon be installed at Derriford Hospital. The new shelters will have better lighting, improved seating and repositioned ‘real-time’ displays to make it easier for passengers to view information about the next services to arrive. Work will get under way on Monday 12 August and will be carried out in phases over four weeks. All buses will continue to serve the hospital but passengers will temporarily need to use a different stop in front of the hospital while their usual shelter is being replaced. Some buses will need to operate through the interchange in the opposite direction to their usual route while departing from their temporary stop.

It will be interesting to see what the new bus stops will be like, especially the claim to have better seats. The newly installed bus stop at the bottom of Keswick might be a nicer shelter but the seating is definitely a step down from what it was. More on that later in the week hopefully

Click here for the bus stop allocation while the works are in progress

Permanent stops from Sunday 8 September

There are seven shelters at Derriford Hospital but only six are currently used. These six will be replaced in time for when the schools reopen for the autumn term and the seventh will be replaced and brought back into use from Sunday 8 September, meaning some services will operate from a different stand.

• Stand 1
  1 (City Centre)
  1A (Sherford)
  42, 42A, 42B, 42C (City Centre)
• Stand 2
  14 (City Centre)
  28 (City Centre)
  34 (City Centre)
• Stand 3
  51 (City Centre via St Budeaux)
  71 (Saltash)
• Stand 4
  50 (City centre via Marsh Mills) 
• Stand 5
  42 (Southway)
  42A,
  42B (Tamerton Foliot)
  52 (Plympton)
• Stand 6
  1 (Tavistock)
  1A (George Park and Ride)
  34 (George Park and Ride)
  42C (Woolwell)
• Stand 7
  14 (Upland Drive)
  27 (City centre via Mainstone)
  28 (George Park and Ride)
  59 (George Park and Ride/Peverell)

Two for Today: Bristol VRs

I must admit its hard to keep motivated at the moment with not a lot going on for obvious reasons and yet loads to catch up on. Working from home is a lot harder than I thought it would be so I have not spent as much time on PT as I would normally.

To keep things going I will now be posting Two for Today – with two connected photos from my archives. It might not be every day but hopefully most of them! If anything interesting does happen at all then there will be other posts in between

1229 First Western National VRT looks quite smart in its North Devon red version of the dumbed down livery which started so promisingly as the Badger & flags livery

Speaking of which the badger may have gone but the flags remain on 1199 which it has to be said looks well past its best, as did many of the fleet at this time (2002).

Stagecoach at Derriford

Derriford Hospital has always been a good place to observe buses, being the second busiest bus terminus after Royal Parade. The scene though has changed quite a bit recently with Stagecoach taking on most of the Target Travel work along with former Citybus route 14. So we have a bit of a photo feature looking at Stagecoach at Derriford Hospital over the last week or so…

Newly acquired Dennis Dart 34849 on the 14.

The 52 now departs from Derriford in both directions as seen by 34607 seen back on the 1st November.

and also another recently acquired Dart 35134 YN56HBB.

Traffic at Derriford has affected buses in and out of Derriford quite badly recently so you often get buses bunched up. These two are both branded for the 1 and also both running on the 1 seen in horrible weather on the 6th!

The Battle for Derrifords Park & Riders

 

Stagecoach Plymouth have a new fare promotion:

It’s now even cheaper to catch the 100/101 between the George Park and Ride and Derriford Hospital, with our special offer on fares.

Our brand new Derriford Park & Rider weekly ticket is just £5.00*, that’s only 50p per journey.

• Fares will be available on the app and as a paper ticket on bus
• Buses run every 10-15 minutes and feature comfortable high-backed leather-effect seats plus free WiFi. So sit back, relax and travel into the city in style!
• Concessionary passes also welcome.

Cant think why this is happening!

Derriford Developments

Some welcome news of more road developments at Derriford Hospital:

Work on a new bus link to Derriford Hospital will begin in spring 2019.

The Morlaix Drive Access Improvement and Bus Priority Scheme will widen Morlaix Drive between Brest Road and the hospital to provide improved access for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists.

The road to be widened highlighted by the pink line

Funding for the £4.7 million project will be part-funded by £3.3 million awarded to the council by the Department for Transport in October.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning, said: “This scheme is a critical piece of the public transport network and part of a package of transport infrastructure improvements aimed at increasing connectivity in the north of the city, particularly by more sustainable means of travel.

“The Morlaix Drive scheme will support increased travel by bus, helping to ensure that the additional travel demand from new housing and employment sites in the Derriford area is catered for, keeping the city moving as it grows and expands.”

Complementing the larger Derriford Transport Scheme, the improvements will enable buses to serve Derriford Hospital and the upgraded bus interchange area at the front of the hospital without using Derriford roundabout and Derriford Road.

This will support improved reliability of buses in the area and provide benefits for traffic using Tavistock Road. It will also maximise the benefits of the recent Marjon Link Road bus link.

Scheme designs are currently being worked up and public consultation will take place later in the year before final designs are agreed. Work is expected to begin in spring 2019.

This decision has been made under delegated authority and is subject to call in by scrutiny.

The Google Street view image above illustrates one of the big issues with this road currently - there is a very narrow bit which does not allow two way traffic and its right outside the ambulance station too! Drainage is also very poor along this road so its not a pleasant walk when its wet. As a short cut out from the hospital for buses this will save a lot of time and perhaps more importantly be great for me as I work down at the end of this road - hopefully will save me a walk from the hospital each day!

The awakening?

Is the giant starting to wake up?

When Stagecoach came in and took over the ailing First operation in Plymouth there were many people here to commented that it would quickly see off competition from Plymouth Citybus and put them back in their place. The reality was very different with SC seemingly happy to stick to their main key routes and leave the rest to Citybus. Citybus for their part scaled back their incursions into Devon and have put their efforts into the Cornish side of the Tamar.

The timetables changes just announced by Stagecoach for September hint at a change in policy though…

From 3 September we are making changes to our Plymouth bus services, the first significant revamp of our services since we took over a number of routes from First Devon & Cornwall in September 2015.

Key benefits of the changes are:

• Improved frequencies and links to Derriford Hospital
• More buses between Elburton, Plymstock and City Centre
• New service between Royal Parade and Mount Batten
• Buses to Tavistock every 15 minutes
• New service 36 for City College Plymouth

Many of the changes are possible because of the new bus priority infrastructure in and around Derriford Hospital. This means we can run all of our 1, 100 and 101 bus services via the Hospital. There will be buses up to every 7-8 minutes between the Hospital and city centre and buses up to every 15 minutes between Hospital and The George and Milehouse Park & Ride sites. There will also be a direct all day service between Plymouth Station and Derriford Hospital. 

DOWNLOAD AND VIEW 1

DOWNLOAD AND VIEW 2/2A/2B

DOWNLOAD AND VIEW PARK & RIDE

All 1 service buses will now run every 15 minutes on the same route from Tavistock through Marjons, Derriford Hospital and Mutley to the city centre. Anyone travelling from Tavistock to the railway station can change at the Hospital and board either the 100 or 101 which will go from the same stop. Alternatively, they can continue their journey on the 1 and walk the short distance from Mayflower Street.
In Plymstock, there will be buses up to every 5 minutes to the city centre. Mount Batten will have a new service – the 2B – which will run up to every 20 minutes between Royal Parade and Mount Batten. Both the 2 and 2A will run to Elburton which doubles the frequency to this part of the City and gives more cross-city connections to Plymouth Station, St Budeaux and Saltash.
In partnership with City College Plymouth, we are also taking over operation of route 36 between the College’s Kings Road Campus and the City Centre. The timetable will include more journeys into the evening for students taking part in activities, study and training after the core teaching hours and the general public are also welcome to use this service. 

This will bring competition on the Derriford corridor back to pretty much what it was back in Firsts day with the 7s along with some of the Tavistock runs. Stagecoach have always been cheapest but the infrequent buses may have put people off committing to season tickets. It will be interesting to watch when all this kicks off. I am sure there is enough custom for both companies along this section - but I would not be surprised to see some additional marketing by Citybus prior to these changes in September!

Citybus were never that bothered by the competition from First at the time, but Stagecoach run a very different approach to their Plymouth fleet than First ever did…

More Derriford Misery

From the 24th July until the 11th September the section of gas main that runs along Derriford Road from the Hospital Helipad to the Science Park has to be replaced

The new four way traffic lights exiting the site near the Helipad will be turned off. Temporary traffic lights will be put in place.  These will be manually operated from 7am to 8pm to reduce the traffic congestion and ensure Blue Light Emergency Ambulances have constant access to ED. The exit from public car park B onto Derriford Road will be left turn only and for a period of 10 days in August will be closed with all those using the car park having to enter and exit via the same route. The works will be in 3 phases and attached are drawings showing the traffic restrictions that will be in place during each phase.

Phase One

This is clearly going to be the most painful as nothing will be able to turn right from Derriford Hospital. That's one long diversion up through The George

Phase Two

At least traffic will be back to both directions but this will get very busy at peak times so expect long delays

Phase Three

Slightly better than phase two!

The whole thing runs from 24th July to the 11st September, the only thing we don't know are the dates for each phase of the work.

 

If you are going to be traveling on one of these in the summer holidays, expect delays!

Saltash Hopper to Derriford

The new Saltash Hopper service to Derriford seems to be doing well after its initial trial period so has introduced a new timetable from the 30th January

NEW HOPPER BUS DIRECT DERRIFORD SERVICE

Available on demand at these times:

Pilmere, The Ploughboy, the Fire Station, Church Rd, St. Stephens Rd and Fore Street.

The bus leaves Fore Street at:

Morning: 06.45, 07.38, 08.20,11.25 Afternoon: 13.25, 15.45, 16.45 & 19.00

The return route leaves the Derriford hospital site at:

Morning: 07.05, 08.15, 09.15 Afternoon: 12.15, 14.15, 16.15, 17.15, & 20.15

This is a community transport service available to all Saltash Card holders – It’s really easy to join (£2 for a Saltash Card) 

http://communityenterprisespl12.co.uk/become-a-cic-member/

Single: £2.50 ~ Return: £4.50 ~ Save money and buy a book of 10 @ £20.00

For more information call into Number 4, Fore Street, Saltash 

Call 01752 848348 or Mike on 07905 795256

Email: hopper@communityenterprisespl12.co.uk

Football and Bus Stops

Apparently there is a football match on Wednesday evening…

*** FOOTBALL SPECIAL ***
Mr Robert Risk is providing Extra buses on the Football Specials for PAFC vs Liverpool FA Cup game on Wednesday. - COYG
Child Single - £1.00 Return - £1.50
Adult Single - £1.50 Return - £2.50

Also Stagecoach are running extra buses on Park & Ride 100

We have additional buses running on our 100 Park and Ride this Wednesday 18th January for the FA Cup Third round match between Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool at Home Park from 19:45 Additional buses will operate before and after the match between the George and Milehouse Park and Ride Sites only. Tickets are from £1.40 for a single, and £2.30 for a return.

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Meanwhile

Plymouth City Council announced that the new interchange at Derriford Hospital is now officially up and running

Work to upgrade Plymouth’s second busiest bus interchange is now complete. The road outside Derriford Hospital has been widened to allow buses to travel in both directions – helping to reduce congestion outside the main entrance and making bus journeys to and from the hospital quicker and more reliable. Four additional bus stops have been installed and footpaths widened to provide more space for waiting passengers and separate drop-off areas have been created for taxis.

Developed in partnership with Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, the scheme cost just over £2 million and was part funded  through the Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The LEP awarded £1.4 million, with the remainder provided by the Council and the Trust. Construction was carried out by our highways contractor Amey.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Housing, Transport and Planning, said: “The new interchange should ease traffic flow outside the hospital and help to improve bus journey times. It also includes better, safer areas for people being picked up and dropped off and will hopefully make a difference to patients, staff and visitors. We’d like to thank people for bearing with us while the works were carried out.”

Landscaping at the front of the hospital is complete and a new orchard, developed with the Derriford Hospital Environment Group, will be planted in February, providing an open green space for staff, patients and visitors. Derriford is identified in the Joint Local Plan as a key area to deliver growth in housing and employment, with the vision to establish a new heart for the north of the city first proposed in Plymouth’s Core Strategy in 2007. Central to this vision is a transport network that can connect people to new homes, jobs and leisure and health facilities.

The Derriford Hospital Interchange scheme is part of a master plan of highway improvements on and around the city’s ‘northern corridor’, connecting with the new Marjon Link Road and complementing other schemes such as the Derriford Transport Scheme, where construction has just got under way. There were several worried looks as my 51 bus to work on Monday morning went straight on at the old entrance to Derriford. There were a few passengers who knew what was going on though who reassured those who didn't. I have noticed a few confused people running across the road trying to find their bus but it all seems to be running very well so far and is a big improvement on what was there before. This is one of those schemes which really was worth waiting for as far as I am concerned

New Stops Start

The new bus stop arrangement at Derriford Hospital finally come into use today - Monday 16th January. The full allocation of services to bus stops as as follows:

I am sure the first day or so will be fun, with passengers not knowing where to go, and I am sure a few drivers forgetting which way to come in to the hospital to begin with at least!

At least it should stop scenes like this happening back in 2008 where a single broken down bus effectively closed everything down!

Saltash Hopper

Saltash Community Bus Service (Saltash Hopper) are running a trial bus service from Saltash to Derriford four times a day from Monday 9^th January to Friday 13^th January.

Buses will operate from Pilmere, then the Ploughboy, Fire Station, Church Rd, St Stephens Rd and on to Fore St outside the Community Market at 6.45am, 7.45am then 3.45pm and 4.45pm. Return runs available from Derriford at 7.05am and 08.15am then 4.15pm and 5.15pm.

Seats should be booked in advance as space is limited. Tel 01752 848 348 or 07905 795256, or call in to the Community Market at 4 Fore Street (Wed- Sat)

They drop off and pick up at the Main entrance and outside of Maternity.

This week it is free and they will start a paying service  from Mon 15/1/17

They will tweak  and add more runs  as the service develops. Please help them to promote this service by using it and sharing it with your colleagues. There are details on Facebook (Saltash Hopper) and the contact number for Mike Finch at Saltash Hopper is 07905 795256.

This service is aimed at staff living in Saltash and working at Derriford. Lets hope its a success.

More information can be found on their web site

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Sticking with Derriford news staff have been informed that the new bus stops come into full use next week…

I have now received confirmation that the bus operators will start using the new bus lane (running in the opposite direction to the original lane) from Sunday 15th January. Temporary signs will be in place to warn pedestrians to ‘look both ways’ etc and the public transport team are working on some information to go on the shelters so that people know where they should be going. Please can all bus users check with their operators to make sure they know which bus stops they are meant to be using from Sunday 15^th January.

Please remember that both bus lanes are for buses and cyclists only and that no other vehicles are allowed to use these lanes.

Back on the 15th November 2016 the new shelters were being installed

Now all ready to go

I can see a fair bit of confusion at first, but look forward to the buses actually being able to get to their own stops more often than has been the case for some time now…

What a difference at Derriford

 

25th May 2016

7th November 2016

Most of the work has now been completed. The new drop off zone the right has opened this week. Where the ambulances can be seen on the left are the new bus stops which will soon be used by buses heading in the opposite direction. Since this photo was taken work has started on the new shelters. You can see how busy these stops get, so the sooner the new stops open up the better.

Derriford Developments

The major road works at the front of Derriford Hospital have continued for several months remodelling the road layout and providing more bus stops. The first few photos were taken back on the 17th July where the new bus road was more or less complete and the final road surface was being laid, giving a good idea of the new layout…

The three original shelters have been installed at the bus stops. The new bus stops on the left hand side can be seen here which will take buses heading back up towards The George (via the new Airport Link Road) and also the 50 etc out towards Estover. The temporary arrangements that have been in place for the last few months were less than ideal. The lack of space and awkward layout meant buses were often queued up behind each other. It was difficult to get the buses close to the kerb for easy wheelchair access and there were no shelters for passengers.  The pavement at the front of the hospital was very narrow which meant that the electric golf cart in use for the less mobile which can be seen just behind Citaro 84 had to fight its way through crowds of people waiting for the buses. All of this has now changed for the better…

Taken this week, we see the new road in use with its nice new bus stop layout. Its still a temporary layout as buses are still only one way so just the stops here on the right are in use. At the moment this is still quite a bit less space than the old road layout so buses are still bunched up and double parked but there is generally plenty of room for this to happen at the moment. The old road to the right of the new stops is now being ripped up and a new layout put in place. Once this is ready then the full scheme with buses in both directions will take effect. The lack of any shelters on the left will be noted and is hopefully going to be sorted shortly.

Derriford Transport Scheme Next Stage

More on the latest developments around Derriford

Major transport improvement plans for the north of the city have taken a major step forward, with the appointment of the main contractor for the Derriford Transport Scheme. The contract has been awarded to Amey LG Ltd following a competitive tender process and construction work is expected to begin in July.

The Derriford Transport Scheme will help to reduce congestion along Tavistock Road and create more road capacity for the extra traffic that will be generated by proposed developments in the area. It will also include better facilities for public transport, walking and cycling. Derriford Roundabout and the William Prance Road junction will be upgraded with additional traffic lanes, new bus lanes and improved traffic signals, as well as new, marked cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings. Walking and cycling improvements will also extend towards The George Park and Ride. A preferred option has been chosen and scheme designs are being finalised following public consultation in 2014 and 2015.

Derriford is an area that is undergoing vast change, significant to the city’s future. A vision to establish a new heart for the north of the city was first proposed in Plymouth’s Core Strategy in 2007 and Derriford has since been identified as a key area to deliver growth in housing, employment and associated infrastructure as part of the Plymouth Plan. Central to this vision is a transport network that can connect people to new homes, jobs and leisure and health facilities. The Derriford Transport Scheme is part of a master plan of highway improvements that will help to achieve this and deliver jobs and homes in the north of the city.

It will be supported by other essential infrastructure improvements in the area including the new Marjon Link Road (which opened in the autumn), the Derriford Hospital Interchange and the proposed Forder Valley Link Road. The Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) is contributing £10.16 million towards the £12.72 million scheme.

For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/derrifordtransportscheme.

Derriford Developments

 

Work to upgrade Plymouth’s second busiest bus interchange will get under way this week.

The Derriford Hospital Interchange scheme, which has been developed in partnership with Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, will convert the existing one-way bus link through the hospital to allow buses to travel in both directions. It will also create separate taxi and passenger drop-off points and provide three additional bus stops.

As well as reducing congestion outside the main entrance and making bus journeys to and from the hospital quicker and more reliable, the scheme will provide better waiting areas for bus and taxi passengers and those getting dropped off or picked up by car.

It is estimated to cost just over £2 million, with £1.4 million being provided by the Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership. The remaining funding will be provided by the Council and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

The new interchange is part of a master plan of highway improvements that will help unlock development and deliver 9,000 new jobs and 3,000 new homes in the north of the city. Other schemes include the Derriford Transport Scheme which is due to start later this year, as well as the new Marjon Link Road, which opened in September 2015.

Preparations are being made this week to get the site ready for the main works, which are due to start on Monday 8 February. Construction will be carried out by the Council’s highways contractor Amey and is programmed to take nine months.

During that time access along the front of the hospital’s main entrance will be restricted to buses, Hackney Carriages and emergency vehicles.

All drop-off traffic will be re-directed to Car Park F, where facilities will be provided for anyone who needs assistance. Some sections of footpath will be closed during the works but alternative routes and crossing points will be provided.

Access for cyclists will be maintained throughout the works and all building entrances will remain open. All diversion routes will be clearly signed.

Access to Accident and Emergency will not be affected.

Disruption will be kept to a minimum but anyone travelling to Derriford Hospital is advised to plan ahead and add extra time to their journey.

Paul Barnard, the Council’s Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “The area outside Derriford Hospital is often congested, especially at peak time and this scheme should make a big difference to patients, staff and visitors.

“By providing extra space for buses and making this a two-way link we will not only improve service reliability for bus passengers, but also help to improve bus journey times and keep traffic moving along the whole northern corridor.

“The scheme will also provide much better, safer areas for people being picked up and dropped off at the hospital.”

Nick Thomas, Director of Planning and Site Services at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This scheme is an important investment in the city’s infrastructure which will benefit people visiting our hospital and ease traffic flow more generally.

“We are working closely with Plymouth City Council and other interested parties, to ensure developments on site are in the interests of our patients, visitors and staff.

“While the improvements are being carried out we realise there will be some disruption so we apologise in advance and ask everyone to be patient.”

Background

The bus interchange at Derriford Hospital is the second busiest in the city. The Derriford Hospital Interchange scheme will convert the existing one-way bus link through the hospital to allow buses to travel in both directions. It will also create separate taxi and passenger drop-off points and provide three additional bus stops.

The scheme will reduce congestion outside the main entrance and make bus journeys to and from the hospital quicker and more reliable. The waiting areas for bus and taxi passengers and those getting dropped off or picked up by car will also be improved.

The total cost of the scheme is estimated at just over £2 million. The Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) – the body responsible for allocating funding for large-scale transport schemes across Plymouth. Devon, Torbay and Somerset – has recognised the regional importance of the scheme and has awarded £1.4 million towards delivery from its Growth Fund. The remaining funding will be provided by the Council and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Derriford Hospital Interchange scheme is part of a master plan of highway improvements that will help to unlock development and deliver 9,000 new jobs and 3,000 new homes in the north of the city.Other schemes include the Derriford Transport Scheme which is due to start later this year, as well as the new Marjon Link Road, which opened in September 2015.

Planning Permission

Planning permission for the Derriford Hospital Interchange scheme was granted in January 2016. The application number is 15/02189/FUL and all of the documents can be viewed on the planning online page.

Traffic Management

The works will involve a complicated traffic management plan which will ultimately mean that only Buses and Ambulances will be allowed to travel passed the main entrance during these works, all other traffic will be stopped.   Below is a summary of what the traffic management arrangements will mean for staff, patients and visitors.

· Only Buses, Emergency Vehicles and Patient Transport will be allowed to drive passed the main entrance for 9 months.  The contractor will have a manned barrier in operation preventing access to all but authorised vehicles.

· All drop off and pick up for the main entrance will be via Car Park F (new car park next to main outpatients).  Car Park F offers free parking for the first hour.

· A temporary welcome and mobility centre will be located in car park F.  This will consist of a manned port-a-cabin, welcome area with seating etc where members of the public can wait to be collected.  In addition patients and visitors can wait here while relatives park the car and return to escort them into the Hospital.  Alternatively patients or visitors with limited mobility can wait here to be given a lift via a mobility (golf type) buggy to and from the main entrance, if they feel it is too far to walk.  This will be a free courtesy service for the duration of the works.

· There will be no motorcycle parking outside the main entrance during these works.  Motorcycle parking is available in two marked areas within car park F as well as car park B, C, MSCP and near Maternity.

· Car Park public A has been reversed.  Access is now via the mini roundabout off Derriford Road.  When cars exit A they will only be able to turn left back out onto Derriford Road and not use car park A to cut through the site.

· Staff Car Parks C & D - Staff who leave via staff car park C will have to exit the site via the Marjons traffic lights.  Staff who leave via car park D will have the option of leaving via Morlaix Drive or the mini roundabout.  Staff will not be able to drive in front of the main entrance to get from one side of the site to the other.  Staff who exit the MSCP or NWQ will be unaffected.

· Patients who drop off/collect specimens, commodes etc from the main entrance will have to park in car park F and walk to the main entrance. 

· Buses will drop off in the current location outside Plym.  However the current bus stops will be closed.  Instead temporary bus stops will be in position nearer to the Hospital building.

· During all works pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

· New signage will be place both on Derriford Road and on site to direct patients and visitors.

As with any chnage in traffic management at or near Derriford Hospital the first few days at least are likely to be chaotic so expect delays. If you can avoid the ear then do so - sadly not an option for those who work there!