Chelmsford Lib Dems call for better Park & Ride

1.22.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 28th Aug 2008

Chelmsford Lib Dems are calling for current Park & Ride proposals to be reviewed. The council is proposing a site on Essex Regiment Way a short distance from North Springfield. However, the Lib Dems believe that the site should be further north, at Sheepcotes roundabout.

At Sheepcotes roundabout (where the A130, A131 and B1008 from Little Waltham meet) it could then serve Broomfield hospital. Writing in the Essex Chronicle, the Lib Dems planning spokesman and Deputy Leader Cllr Chris Rycroft said:-

"I HAVE always been a great advocate of Park and Ride and welcome the allocation of money from the Community Infrastructure Fund for an additional site in Chelmsford. I fear, however, that not enough thought has been given to future needs in choosing the site.

If the site were to be put near Sheepcotes roundabout a shuttle to Broomfield Hospital could be provided as well as access to the town centre via Essex Regiment Way.

If this opportunity is not seized now, at some time in the future the need for a Park and Ride service to the hospital will be identified and then there will be a pressure to build a road across the Chelmer Valley from the present proposed site to the hospital. This would be disastrous.

Can I please implore Cllr Norman Hume to take this into account when making his business case to the Government.

Cllr Chris Rycroft

Lib Dem planning spokesman

Chelmsford Borough Council