RE: September 2024 Changes
The Great Park Neighbourhood Association don't seem happy with the Q3/x47 changes.
"Hello Great Parker's!
We intend to send this correspondence tomorrow regarding the bus route provider and route changes that have been divulged and done without resident input.
Any suggestions or information missed from residents we will add to the following letter and want to involve and voice as many people affected as we can.
Please like, comment and share. Power to the residents ??
*Letter:
Dear Mayor, Local MP, Councillors, Consortium Directors, and Stagecoach Bus Company Representative,
The Great Park Neighbourhood Association (GPNA) writes to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding recent changes to bus routes serving our estate, particularly the Q3 route operated by Go North East.
*Consultation Concerns:
A promised consultation regarding these changes did not occur. While the Local Transport Act 1985 does not explicitly mandate consultation for every route change, the Public Service Act 2010 emphasises the importance of public service providers involving users in decision-making. This lack of consultation undermines our ability to understand the rationale behind the changes and provide meaningful feedback. Additionally, information from Stagecoach regarding the proposed changes was shared prematurely, despite prior requests to withhold it. This lack of transparency hinders our ability to participate effectively in the decision-making process.
*Exclusion from Decision-Making:
We requested participation in the transport advisory board meeting where these changes were discussed, to ensure resident feedback was considered. We understand that local councillors were also excluded. This exclusion undermines the role of residents and their elected representatives in shaping their community.
*Impact on the Community:
The new routes significantly impact our community by:
- Cutting off a large part of the estate from easy access to bus services, potentially breaching the Equality Act 2010 regarding public service accessibility.
- Timing changes that prevent many residents from commuting to work or returning home, impacting their right to work. Furthermore, the lack of consultation regarding these changes violates the Public Service Act 2010, which emphasises public service providers involving users in decision-making that could significantly impact their ability to work.
- Reduction in overall service, including the elimination of Sunday service, potentially hindering access to religious worship or other essential activities. The reduction in service, particularly the elimination of Sunday service, could disproportionately impact residents who rely on public transport to access places of worship, potentially breaching the Equality Act 2010.
*Residents' Feedback:
We have collected numerous comments from residents expressing their concerns:
- Many moved to Great Park for the convenience of bus access to Gosforth and Jesmond for socialising and commuting. The changes will leave residents of Melbury and Warkworth Woods without evening public transport from September.
- NHS workers at Freeman Hospital, who are not eligible for parking permits, are particularly affected, with concerns about reaching early shifts and returning home after late shifts.
- Parents with young children and prams find the new routes inconvenient, particularly the loss of the direct route to the Quayside.
- The changes seem to be a cost-cutting measure, reducing frequent links to essential areas like Regent Centre and Gosforth, which are crucial for schoolchildren attending local schools.
- Evening and Sunday services are drastically reduced, leaving approximately 2000 residents without reliable transport during these times. This is particularly isolating for those who cannot walk long distances or cross the A1 bridge.
- Before lockdown, there were 8 buses per hour serving Great Park, which has now been halved despite the estate's growth. The current service is inadequate, with detours and reduced frequency making commuting longer and more complicated.
*Safety and Environmental Concerns:
These changes may lead to increased car usage, exacerbating traffic congestion and emissions in our community. The lack of safe walking routes to distant bus stops also raises significant safety concerns for our residents, particularly during adverse weather conditions or in poorly lit areas.
*Financial Impact:
Many residents now face the financial burden of seeking alternative transport methods, which could be significantly more expensive than the previously available bus services. Was a cost-benefit analysis conducted to justify these changes? If so, we request access to this analysis to understand the financial rationale.
*Park and Ride Concerns:
The changes to the Park and Ride car park raise concerns about compliance with the S106 agreements in place. Additionally, the £818,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding allocated to convert it into a pick-up and drop-off car park for the Great Park Academy requires further clarification from the City Council. Specifically, we would like to understand how this use of CIL funds aligns with the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 and how the changes comply with the terms of the existing S106 agreements for the Park and Ride.
*Request for Alternatives and Meeting:
We urgently request a meeting with representatives from the consortium, the bus company, Newcastle City Council, the newly appointed Mayor, and local councillors to address these issues and find immediate and long-term solutions before the changes take effect at the end of August. Potential solutions could include restoring certain routes, implementing shuttle services, or offering subsidised transport options for affected residents. This meeting is crucial to ensure resident voices are heard and the needs of our community are met.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Jamie Robinson
Chair
GPNA"
