Truro's Park & ride now open !

Buses at the Central Plaza at the new Park & Ride

18th August 2008

The first phase of the new Park and Ride for Truro at Threemilestone successfully opened to the public on 4th August 2008. Most feedback received by the client and operator to date has been positive. Special fares are offered throughout August, including long-term tickets, with a day ticket costing £1. To pick up the special opening offers, make sure you use the site before the end of the month. The scheme is well worth a visit to try out the state of the art buses and look at the overall design.

Cornwall Environmental Consultants (CEC) Ltd were commissioned by Cornwall County Council to undertake the masterplanning, landscape design and ecological work for the new Park & Ride scheme in Threemilestone. Ann Zettersten, Landscape Architect for CEC, lead the masterplanning and landscape design of the scheme. Steve Adams, Senior Ecologist, headed the ecological consultancy work undertaken by CEC for the site. The scheme was built by Cormac, with landscaping being implemented by Commercial Services.

Ann said; 'The landscape design respects and reflects the quality of the Cornish landscape by choice of materials and planting including Cornish granite and a large number of native oak trees. Sustainability is at the heart of the scheme and great care has been taken to retain and protect existing wildlife on site wherever possible including the trees and Cornish hedges as well as protected species such as bats and badgers.'

The design also includes sustainability features such as solar panels on the roof of the building, reed beds for foul water treatment and a sustainable urban drainage system to treat storm water. A large wildlife area at the lowest point of the site together with large areas of native tree and shrub planting along the boundaries create important habitats for wildlife.

Nigel Blackler, Head of Transportation said; "We approached CEC to work with us in developing a concept for Cornwall's first permanent Park and Ride in Truro, which has been based around a 'Park for Cars'. CEC worked closely with Cornwall County Council's internal Highway Design Group throughout the duration of the project providing expert advice and guidance on a number of environmental and ecological issues. All of those involved in working on the Park and Ride have been extremely committed in ensuring that the scheme was built to be as self-sustaining and to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible. This will very much be a flagship scheme for Cornwall and we want the Park and Ride site to be seen as 'best example' setting standards for others to follow.'

For more information on the Park & Ride please visit www.parkfortruro.org.uk.

 

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