(07 Dec 2020, 8:31 am)Dan wrote I don't think anyone is surprised - but it's surely within the best interests of the Arnison Centre if they get to grips with their parking management?
As I mentioned, I was there on Saturday and the car parks were heaving. I didn't attempt to park up but I'd have struggled to find a space. It struck me how it was absolutely the right thing to do, sending the 21 via the Arnison Centre, and how if just 1% of the car users travelled by bus instead, it would result in a significant increase in patronage on the 21, whilst also alleviating some of the parking woes.
It's a growing place with a lot of customers. I think you'll see more promotion and marketing of the 21 via Arnison Centre in the coming days.
I don't understand how the demand for places like McDonald's and the fact everyone is going through the drive through has anything to do with parking management.
Similarly, for that 1% to switch to bus - you're assuming that there's a proportion of people going there in the car, who can get there on the 21 or a bus at all.
Unless those people live on the routes of the ANE or GNE services, then that's not going to happen.
Pushing the 21 is all fine and well for those living on the Durham Road corridor, who can manage the social distancing on the bus and with the limited space to put their shopping.
If they're one of the many who don't live on the Durham Road corridor, struggle with the social distancing aspect and don't want to take the risk of seeing the 'bus full' display, don't want to walk to the bus link to find out they then need to navigate Sainsburys and the car parks to get to Lidl, and the number of bags takes up space beyond their pleather seat - it's not going to make much difference.
The Arnison Centre has a huge catchment area. Apart from the immediate outlying villages of Durham City such as the Ushaw Moors, Esh Winnings Bearparks etc., the lanes around Cocken leading from the Raintons, Pittington, Leamside and Lumley can get heaving on a weekend.
The 21 can't and won't fix any of those issues.