One of the more recent projects in Blackpool has been the construction of six loading/unloading bays for coaches in Central Car Park at a cost of £150,000.
The intention is to make it easier for people to access the town centre when visiting by coach. John Donnellon, assistant director for built environment at Blackpool Council stated, “We want the coach park up and running in time for the start of the school holidays.”
Oh dear! It’s past that point and it’s not open.
I heard the other day that planning officers had visited the site and ruled that in no way could it be used as intended.
A couple of the issues cited were that it is too dangerous to have buses pulling out on to Central Drive and that there’s no room for buses to turn round in that car park without a radical redesign. If these issues are the case, you would have thought that they would have been taken into account prior to lashing 150 grand on this scheme, but then this is Blackpool Council so I guess anything goes.
If anyone has any further information on this scheme, I would love to hear it!
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Stealing my thunder!
I’m sure those lost 80 spaces could have been put to good use today.
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Less time making home movies
But you’re right, I think this project is going to be another white elephant if/when they get permission to open it. I mean, it’s not like buses can even park there. They’ll probably drop off there and go back to Lonsdale Ghost Coach Park – if they can turn round of course!
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Having looked at the plans I can’t really see an issue with turning or vehicles exiting onto Central Drive. The traffic issues weren’t a problem for the planners when Debenhams was being built (the situation changed to suit whatever the developers needed) so I can’t see any safety issues with coaches exiting there.
Credit where it’s due; that’s a pretty good design in a location which minimises choke points and requires no undue turning movements. As for coaches being able to turn round I think a better movement would be out onto the Promenade via Central Drive and back on at Waterloo Road / Seasiders Way. The recirculating nature makes it safer and more predictable too.
Will.
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I haven’t seen the plans, but I’ve seen the construction itself. If the plan is good, as you say, one wonders why they haven’t yet opened it…
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Ask and ye shall receive…
http://www2.blackpool.gov.uk/PlanningApplications/acolnetcgi.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=36081
Link to planning application. Click ‘View Documents’ at top for plans etc.
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