BILLINGSHURST HEALTHCHECK – TRANSPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

As a prelude to the main recommendations a number of statements need to be considered.

1.Dominance of the car as a prime means of transport needs to be “challenged”, which can only come from :-

- improvements in public transport.

- Ensuring value for money from public transport subsidies.

- Easier access to a coordinated system of cycle tracks, including cycle security.

- Encouraging people to walk when and wherever possible.

2. In considering transport matters a balance between economic and environmental issues must be borne in mind.

3. Transport/road safety issues must be considered separately and in depth.

4. The ability to integrate further the hinterland with Billingshurst is frought with problems and cost.

5. The need to provide a public transport system to take account of the need of young people, particularly in terms of extra curricula and social activity is also very difficult.

SECTION 1 – PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Trains - there is a need to encourage more usage from non commuter traffic.

- disabled and elderly people need to have boarding/leaving trains made easier.

- bus services need improved linkage with train arrivals, together with better waiting facilities

- car parking in the area of the station requires improvement and the whole area needs to be made more presentable.

Buses – most hinterland villages/communities are not adequately served.

- lack of low platform buses makes boarding/leaving a problem for many.

- no evening services exist.

- Improve bus information, particularly print clarity, cleaner glass and information on all services.

Coaches – no services exist and, as such, no need has been defined.

Recommendations
i) To carry out a review to consider how best to increase rail usage. To include :-

- Ramping platforms to permit easier access/exit.

- Improve station parking facilities to allow for daytime shoppers etc.

- Improve bus timetable linkage with a commitment to meet some incoming trains. This will require train/bus interface.

- Refurbish area around the station.

- Refer also to the “Road Safety” heading.

ii) Carry forward a linked bus review to improve service and usage. To include :

- Easier bus boarding/leaving via ramped areas at bus stops.

- Consider daytime service and whether subsidy per head is value for money.

- Consider one service per ?? in each direction meeting a specific train in each direction. Bus/rail interface will be necessary to allow for late running of trains.

- Consider Dial a Ride service for hinterland communities into Billingshurst.

- Include consideration of extra curricula/ social needs of young people.

- Make recommendations on ways to improve bus and rail timetable information availability. Better bus stop information is required.

SECTION 2 – GETTING AROUND.

Walking – within Billingshurst :-

- Need to improve safety of Clevelands/Church path

- A network of signed footpaths should be created within the Market Town

- The provision of a footpath linking both main car parks is necessary.

- Consideration should be given to alleviating the dangers on the pavement at the bottom of East St..

- The pavement between Austens and the Kings Head should be widened to allow for wheelchairs and two-way foot traffic.

Walking – within the hinterland:-

- whilst pavements exist from Adversane and Five Oaks to Billingshurst, they are extremely dangerous due to narrowness in parts and the speed/size of traffic. They need widening or placing behind hedgerows.

- In general terms walking from other hinterland communities is not an option for most people due to distance and time factors.

Cycling – The ad hoc nature of cycle paths, the lack of secure storage, plus the dangers in cycling on the areas A road network, all serve as a disincentive to the use of cycles.

The mix of pedestrian and cyclists on pavements can be dangerous and is not liked by many walking pavement users.

Cars – the car is an essential “tool” in most peoples lives and is a key factor in getting to school or work, in the local economy, for social and leisure needs, as well as to use public transport. It is, however, detrimental to the environment, whilst remaining the first choice of transport by most. Car use (and other vehicles) create severe problems at certain times of day, and in specific areas within the locality.

For the majority the car is essential for :-

- Train use.

- Getting to/from work.

- Shopping.

- Infant/Primary school arrival/collection.

- Leisure purposes.

Pressure points within Billingshurst are :-

- The A272 through Billingshurst.

- The area around the Station.

Peak traffic times are :-

- 8a.m. to 9.30a.m.Monday to Friday.

- 4.30p.m. to 6.00p.m. Monday to Friday

- Shopping times, say 10.00a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Thursday to Saturday, when car parking becomes a problem.

Recommendations

iii) Review the current footpath network for safety and develop a signed and secure path structure throughout the Market Town. Such review to consider footpath access between both major car parks and ensure all pavements and paths allow two way foot traffic and wheelchair access.

iv) Create a full cycle path network throughout Billingshurst with separate “tracks” for foot/cycle traffic whenever possible. Such a system should include outlying parish communities. To encourage cycle use secure storage should be provided at all main points of need, i.e. shops, library, schools, outside the Station, and on all Industrial Estates, etc.

v) With a view to minimising the impact of the car, whilst endeavouring to cater for the growth in car usage, a thorough review of car usage should be undertaken to include :-

a) Current parking requirements to ascertain the extent of parking needs, edge of Market Town parking for workers, short v long term parking needs, parking restrictions within the shopping area ( i.e. one or two hour maxima) , and improvement in parking facilities at the Station.

b) The Walking Bus scheme should be considered for local schoolchildren with the aim of alleviating traffic congestion around the infant/primary schools at school arrival/departure time.

c) As part of an overall review of road safety (See Section C) traffic flows should be analysed to see if a “one way” system could be introduced to the High St./Coombe Hill area. Such analysis to include pedestrianisation of Mill Lane.

SECTION 3 ROAD SAFETY.

From accident statistics there are a number of clear accident points. The prime danger areas are :-

- Adversane.

- Newbridge

- The level crossing area at the Station.

- Bottom of East St. facing Budgens.

Recommendations

vi) Adversane crossroads. The imposition of the 40m.p.h. speed limit may have the desired effect of reducing speed/accidents at this junction but it is too early for trends to emerge or statistics to become available. Should this scheme not work to the desired effect then consideration should be given to the introduction of a major roundabout.

vii) Newbridge. The narrowness of the bridge is such that it provides encouragement to two way traffic without there being adequate width. A “one direction” priority system or traffic lights should be considered.

viii) Station level crossing. Being set at an angle to the road, the level crossing is too narrow to allow for easy two-way traffic flow. Additionally large vehicles enter or exit the Industrial Estate. Whilst traffic flow over the crossing is slow, and thereby any vehicle to vehicle accident damage slight, the real danger is to pedestrians. Negotiations with Network Rail should be undertaken with a view to widening access to the crossing to allow for two way vehicle flow and pedestrian pathways.

ix) A272 junction with the High St. The A272 access to the High St. is not only narrow and a danger to pedestrians but is made more difficult by traffic turning into Mill Lane/the Library Car Park plus the needs of Budgens delivery vehicles. To improve safety the following issues should be reviewed :-

a) pedestrian traffic around the NWB corner to be directed via little East St. and Rose Hill

b) Restricting A29 southerly traffic down the High St., from turning left towards Haywards Heath.

c) Prioritising A272 traffic over High St. traffic at this junction.

d) Pedestrianising Mill Lane thus stopping the need for cars crossing A272 traffic flows east.

e) Stop parking outside Budgens.

f) Stop pedestrian traffic from crossing between Burdocks and NWB.

SECTION 4 – ACCESSIBILITY.

Adequate parking spaces for disabled exist in the Library and Jengers Mead car parks, but the area around the Station has no such facility. Pavements are reasonable with dropped kerbs and “bobble” strips being good. The pavement outside “Monsoon” is too narrow and should be improved in the planned traffic calming measures in the High St.

Problems exist in getting on/off trains and buses. Both are difficult for wheelchair, pushchairs and cycle travel.

Whilst access to shops and public buildings is fair, the library requires walking across car park/road and a review should be carried out into the “island site” nature of the library position.

Only pedestrian crossings exist which have been adapted with “bobble” paving for those with impaired sight, which could be improved through the introduction of pelican crossing facilities.

Recommendations.

x) Provide disabled parking spaces and normal parking facilities in the vicinity of the Station.

xi) Include broadening of pavement outside “Monsoon” within the High St traffic calming measures.

xii) Open negotiations with both Bus and Train authorities to make access easier through the creation of ramped on/off areas.

ixv) Consider installation of a pedestrian crossing from the library to opposite pavement.

xv) Widen road linking the library car park to Frenches Mead/Combe Hill.

SECTION E - VISITORS TO BILLINGSHURST.

Little exists to assist “visitors” to Billingshurst in finding their way around. No signposts, brochures, maps, or information centre exists in what is an expanding Market Town with substantial influxes of people to live and considerable number of visitors to Billingshurst for work, leisure, or shopping purposes.

Recommendations

xvi) Create a system of “finger board” signposts throughout.

xvii) Introduce an “information centre” in the shopping area and near the station.

xviii) Have easily accessible maps available pinpointing all main buildings/areas for visitor retention.

ixx) Create a series of permanent map boards at key spots.

xx) Ensure improved availability, with clarity of information, of bus and train timetables. All details to be available in all spots. i.e. bus timetables to include train times and vice versa