Derriford Traffic Scheme Trial Run next week

Possible (Probable) Traffic Congestion at Derriford Hospital – 1, 2, 3 December 2009

A while back I gave details of road works due to install a new bus lane at Derriford Hospital which was then postponed at short notice. Today staff at Derriford Hospital were given details of a trial run planned for next week... Work on a £300,000 City Council scheme to create a new bus lane at Derriford Hospital which was due to start this month has been postponed. The scheme, part of the Northern Corridor public transport improvements, was due to start on the 16th November, but there have been concerns as to how the necessary traffic diversions would effect the running of such a large acute Trust. In order to assess whether the Trust can function with the necessary traffic diversions and management proposals, it has been agreed to trial these diversions in full on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd December 2009. The data gathered over these three days will be invaluable in ensuring that the traffic management plans actually put in place when the bus lane works commence in full, are the least likely to cause major disruption to the hospital and cause any delay to emergency vehicles. In order to undertake the three day trial the following major road diversions will be put in place: The road from the main entrance to Derriford Road mini roundabout (past the entrance to the old Hospital Residences) will become exit only i.e. NO traffic will be allowed to enter the site at the mini roundabout. The Council will have diversion signs in place. Entry to the hospital will only be via either the car park B/Emergency Department side of the site (off Derriford Road) or through Morlaix Drive (off Brest Road). Morlaix Drive will be controlled by traffic lights at all times. The entry and exit arrangements in car park A will be reversed to allow entry only via the entrance opposite car park B (currently the exit to car park A). This will mean that traffic will not be able to use ‘A’ as a short cut to get from one side of the site to the other. Also anyone entering car park A looking for a parking space or to stop at the parking office will have to then have to leave A and drive back around Derriford Road to access the site Nursery users and visitors to Kingstor House and the Rowans Building will not be able to access these areas via the Derriford mini roundabout but will have to follow the diversions in place. This will add time to these journeys especially during peak times. There will be on and off peak traffic lights in place at both hospital junctions along Derriford Road. All staff exiting from staff car park E must turn right and exit the hospital via Morlaix Drive. Bus inspectors will be in place to ensure buses do not double park and block the road outside the main entrance. A parking attendant will be on duty between 08:00 and 18.30 outside the main entrance to keep traffic moving and prevent cars, delivery vehicles and vehicles from causing a blockage in this area. Staff, patients and visitors should expect to experience congestion at peak times on all routes in and out of Derriford Hospital. Any staff coming from the north of the city are urged to use the recently improved George Junction Park and Ride and use the Target Travel’s service 60 to the hospital. Alternatively staff are encouraged to use either the Airport or Planned Care Centre Park and Ride schemes to prevent unnecessary journeys on site. Alternatively where possible staff should try and use the public transport to get to and from work during these works. For help in planning your journey go to PlymGo (www.plymgo.com) and Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 Once complete, the new bus lane will improve journey time and reliability for people using buses to the hospital as well as provide better pedestrian access. The Trust is absolutely committed to improving sustainable travel and journey times by bus and is looking forward to the completion of the new bus lane as soon as practically possible. I have produced this quick and dirty map to show the basic idea. I really hope that this does work as it is crucial to get the new bus lane in as soon as possible. It is good that they are being cautious and trialling this traffic management scheme before they go ahead with the full works. I can see a few issues which are likely to cause problems to begin with. I do like the line "Bus inspectors will be in place to ensure buses do not double park and block the road outside the main entrance" I am really not sure exactly how they are going to do this as there quite simply isnt the room for all the buses to stop at peak times. If all the bus stops are full are they just going to send a bus round again until there is space for it to stop? The other crucial part is going to be the timing of the traffic lights. If they get that wrong it will be chaos! I have always believed that a one way system would help, so it will be interesting to see if I am right. Once people get used to it I think it will help but I am sure the first day at least will be difficult. The other area I can see problems is Morlaix Drive which is very narrow but will remain two way traffic. The traffic lights there may just make things worse if they back traffic up too much. At least most of the traffic will be entering in the morning and leaving in the evening so it should be possible to get the lights set up correctly.It will also see more traffic trying to get out onto Derriford Roundabout from Brest Road. This is difficult at the best of times as often only one or two cars can get out at a time as it is. I am sure that it will be difficult for a few days but I do think it will be worth it if they can keep traffic moving enough to consider staring the new bus lane. It is certainly going to be fun on Monday!

Further Reading Plymothian Transit: Pain now - gain later? Plymothian Transit: Progress stalled Recommended Links Omnibuses: The Benefits of Deckers Leon Daniels: Its not easy being green A Transport of Delight: And then there were 11