Where the plans propose that the "existing 20 station parking spaces remain as current layout", does this number include the half dozen or so reserved Rail User spaces outside of the boundary fence, and if so what's to happen to the two or three spaces which are reserved for Reeds staff (which is nonsensical given that Reeds no longer rent the property)?
I'm just very conscious that given the potential growth for Melksham station, every potential parking space there is like gold-dust. Considering Westbury station as an example, a new, extended car-park opened just two weeks ago, and this morning there wasn't a space to be found.
Transformation of existing spaces and space
| Current | Future |
| 20 spaces within car park | stay - become part of paid car park |
| 2 spaces just outside | become parking for Hub and Railway staff |
5 spaces along station fence
+ 1 Disables space
+ 1 Taxi space
+ turning area | become drop off and pickup (4)
+ disabled spaces (4)
+ taxi spaces (2?) |
| Industial yard | Around 36 paid parking places
including 4 with electric charging
+ (or does the 36 include?) 2 for motor cycles |
AJ Reed (2) and Novocast (6 ish) spaces all become Novocast (8 ish) spaces, I believe
So:
| - | Pay | Pickup | Disabled | Taxi | Staff |
| Now | 27 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Future | 56 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
With TransWilts
CIC▸ taking on the land and car parking themselves and running it as a business, they're looking to ensure they make sufficient income to be viable.
There will be customers and potential customers who cannot practically walk to the station, so drive ... but would prefer to use a bus service if one were available. And I am worried that it might be
in TransWilts' commercial interest to oppose bus provision, even though it's in their terms of reference to encourage public transport use.
There are people who live in Melksham who cannot easily walk to the station, have no car available, cannot afford a daily taxi, and would make use of the train if only they could get there ... perhaps by bus.
It is in the interest of those people, in the interest of the train operator (more journeys), in the interest of the bus operator (filling more seats - did you see the cry for local passengers in the latest MIN??)
to have the minibuses at least calling at the station sooner rather than later.
I have not been aware of this discussion anywhere - though I note that "buses to the station" may be a "soon" subject for some of us but seemed to be much further down the line (if you'll excuse the pun) at last night's presentation to the Town Council.
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