Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

6.82 These seven buses carry 500 students to and from four secondary schools in the
Borough (Magna Carta School, Fulbrook School, Salesian Roman Catholic School, and
Jubilee International High School). In 2009 it was calculated that each year, the yellow
bus service reduces carbon emissions by approximately 355 tonnes 28 . The service is
funded by the fares collected by students, S106 money and business sponsorship.
Local Plan
6.83 It is estimated that over the plan period 2011 – 2026, at least 2415 new residential units
will be provided in the Borough within the general locations as set out in Table 8. New
housing developments over the plan period are likely to correlate with a general
increase in bus passengers.
6.84 Strategic policy 9 (SP09): Sustainable Transport which should be read alongside the
location policies in the Local Plan states that it will be sought to reduce reliance on the
private car. Such a policy is likely to focus, in part, on encouraging a greater use of the
bus infrastructure in the Borough. Increasing use of alternative modes of transport to
the car and easing congestion will become even more important in the light of
increased housing numbers. Furthermore, a greater number of passengers (generated
by an increase in the population) could increase patronage and assist with the viability
of some services.
6.85 It is considered reasonable to assume that the majority of the increased population
over the plan period will be concentrated at the former DERA site (where 1500
dwellings are proposed) and in the Borough’s Urban Areas. Major new developments
such as DERA generally make provision for public transport including connection to
bus networks. It is reasonable to assume that such provision is likely to be included in
any subsequent proposals going forward at the former DERA site.
Future provision
6.86 Surrey County Council, as the main operator of the bus network, describes its principal
aim in its Local Bus Strategy (2011) as: “To deliver and maintain an effective, safe and
sustainable bus network in Surrey.” In order to meet this aim, it proposes to:
• Focus on improvements to bus punctuality and journey time reliability through
Bus Punctuality Partnerships
• Restructure the supported bus service network to deliver better value for
money and a better service for passengers
• Continue support for Park & Ride in Guildford
• Coordinate and support community transport and demand responsive
transport provision in areas where it is more effective and sustainable than
regular bus services
• Work with partners to ensure that passenger information and infrastructure is
delivered in a cost effective manner
6.87 It is unclear at present if the Local Bus Strategy will have an affect on network capacity.
6.88 The only specific schemes which are known to be proposed by Surrey CC at the
current time are:
• bus stop improvements to the Rowtown junction by 2015.
• Introduction of a bus service in the Causeway employment area by 2015.
28
Yellow Bus Carbon Trading Scheme information 2009
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013