Doncaster Council

A Sense of Direction

Background

Major redevelopments such as St. George's Bridge and the Interchange are changing the physical environment of Doncaster. These, coupled with developing transportation policies, have created a need for a comprehensive review of the existing and future parking provision and related policies for Doncaster. The aim is to ensure the continued vitality of the Town Centre whilst also enhancing the pedestrian environment with the shopping centre.

'A Sense of Direction'  is a draft document which provides a framework against which detailed policies can be produced to complement the overall strategy. Preliminary consultation with specific interest groups such as the car park operators and retailers has taken place.

The Key Principles behind the strategy are:

1. Ensuring car parking supply meets specific needs.
   
2. Regeneration of the Urban Centre and the development of quality car parking.
   
3. Quality access and security arrangements.
   
4. Utilising car parking to encourage public transport use.
   
5. Phased introduction of the car parking strategy.
   
6. Doncaster Council to take a lead in car parking provision.
   
7. Pricing policy to support the above objectives.                          

The Strategy will cover the following issues:

• Residents parking in areas around the Town Centre.
• Disabled parking within the Town Centre.
• Security for car parks and users.
• Heavy goods vehicle parking.
• Coach parking.
• Park and Ride.
• Bus service links from the car parks to the shopping centre.                         

Joint Management Agreement
Whilst the Council operates the majority of off-street parking places, a large number of private companies also manage car parks. The co-ordination of these under a Joint Management Agreement is seen as a key issue within the strategy.

Delivery Plan
The strategy will involve the implementation of a series of individual actions over a period of years before the full plan can be delivered. Some of these are already committed whilst others will require further studies and consultation. Some cannot be progressed until the major projects have been completed. The basic plan therefore includes:

Short Term (completed)

• Signing improvements
• Rationalisation of disabled parking
• Reallocation of passes for Southern Multi-Storey Car Park
• Increase allocation of spaces for shoppers

Continued Action

• Development of the Joint Management Agreement concept.
• Consideration of Park and Ride sites.
• Review of the current pricing structure and the balance between short and long stay parking.
• Extend residents parking.
• Improved security.                        

Long Term

• HGV/Coach Parking provision 
• Variable Message signing

• Sense of direction