EEC/09/206/HQ Mid Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee 21 September 2009

Eggesford Rail Station Car Park

Report of the Area Engineer (East)

Please note that the following recommendations are subject to consideration and determination by the Committee before taking effect.

Recommendation: It is recommended that:

(a) subject to the granting of Planning Permission, the proposal for a car park adjacent to Eggesford rail station (drawing No C08051/3) be approved; (b) that the scheme be funded from the Local Public Service Fund (LPSA2) Reward Grant monies at a total cost of £160,000.

1. Summary

This report seeks approval for the implementation of a car park on the former goods yard at Eggesford rail station.

2. Background

A key part of the County Council’s sustainable transport policies is the support and development of the rail network in the County.

The Barnstaple (Tarka) line is a key element of the local rail network in Devon and an important link to Exeter not only for Barnstaple but for many communities on the line. The rail service line has recently been enhanced to hourly during the daytime through a partnership between the rail industry and the ExeRail initiative.

Patronage on the line is increasing. In 2008 there were over 340,000 journeys, an increase of 15.5% on the previous year. Since 2001 patronage has grown by over 74%.

Although the service level has been improved to hourly it is not possible to stop at all stations on the line due to the time required. To maximise usage the principal of ‘railheading’ has been adopted. This involves concentrating the main station stopping pattern at key stations. Eggesford has been selected as one of these stations, mainly due to the fact that all trains have to stop at Eggesford because of access to the single track section to Barnstaple.

The current parking provision at Eggesford rail station is inadequate. This is limited to the area outside the station house which is partly in Network Rail ownership and adjoins the highway. No car parking spaces are marked out and consequently parking is haphazard. A small number of cars can park there but often obstruct access to the adjacent station yard. Access to the highway at this location is potentially dangerous. There is no street lighting on exit from the station and in front of the station house. Some rail passengers park on the other side of the level crossing on the highway verge.

3. Proposal

Discussion have been held with the owner of the former goods yard, adjacent to the Exeter bound platform, at Eggesford rail station. Agreement has been reached in principle with the owner to lease this area for a period of 25 years as a car park for the station.

The scheme is shown in Appendix I (drawing No C08051/3).

The proposal is to create a car parking area with 19 spaces (including one disabled space). The car parking area will be appropriately surfaced and marked. Particular attention has been given to ensuing the scheme has appropriate drainage and the underground pipes to local resident’s septic tank protected. The car parking area will have appropriate lighting, having due regard to the environment and location, during the hours of operation of the rail service. Lighting will also be added to the station exit and forecourt.

An important part of the scheme is to improve the station forecourt area and access onto the highway. The pavement outside the station house will be extended to improve the sight lines for access to the site to/from the highway and to prevent the uncontrolled car/vehicle parking outside the station itself. One disabled car parking space will be provided in this area.

The proposal does not affect the existing rights of access for any persons to the former station goods yard.

The total scheme cost is £160K.

4. Planning Permission

The scheme requires Planning Permission and this was sought in August 2009. There are three properties in the vicinity of the proposed car park that will be affected by this proposal. A number of representations have been made in response to the Planning Permission and these will be considered at Development Management Committee on 14 October 2009.

5. Financial Considerations

There are several elements to the funding of this scheme. These include the cost of leasing the site from the owner for 25 years, legal costs, Planning Permission and the cost of implementing the scheme. The total cost is £160k and this will be funded from the Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA2) Reward Monies.

6. Sustainability Considerations

The provision of a car park at Eggesford rail station will encourage greater use of the rail line between Exeter and Barnstaple and provide a safe parking area with capacity to accommodate current and future growth in the immediate future.

7. Carbon Impact Considerations

The scheme will have a positive carbon emission effect by encouraging existing car journeys to be made in part by a more sustainable mode.

8. Equality Considerations

The scheme will be fully accessible to all.

9. Legal Considerations

The lawful implications/consequences of the proposal has been considered and taken into account in the formulation of the recommendations set out above.

10. Discussion

The current uncontrolled car parking provision at Eggesford rail station is inadequate and access to the highway at this location is potentially dangerous.

County Council policy is to encourage greater use of the rail network as a sustainable travel mode. Patronage on the Barnstaple (Tarka) line is continually growing and this, along with the principal of ‘rail heading’, will lead to an increase in demand for car parking at the station.

There is limited opportunity to provide car parking at or around the station. The former station yard offers the best opportunity to provide this and the owner is willing to lease the land for 25 years with an option to extend this in the future. The site provides easy access to the Exeter bound platform.

One other potential site has recently been identified and this is shown in Appendix II (drawing No. C08051/4). This is an area of land to the west of proposed site.

Although this alternative has not been examined in detail and no discussions have taken place with the owner regarding leasing/purchase, there are sound of reasons why this site is not an attractive alternative. Firstly, it is a significant distance away from the station entrance and a disincentive particularly for the disabled and persons with mobility difficulties. Secondly, it requires access across land in others person’s ownership. The land immediately to the south east of the site is in the ownership of Network Rail and is used as a working construction base for repairs/ maintenance of the rail track. Safe access across this land would be required for both cars and passengers. Access to the station entrance would require safe access across the land owned by the lessee of the proposed car park site (outlined in this report). Tony Matthews

Electoral Divisions: Newton St Cyres & Sandford

Local Government Act 1972: List of Background Papers

Contact for enquiries: Phil Slater

Room No. AB3

Tel No: (01392) 383242

Background Paper Date File Ref

None

ps100909mda sc/eggesford rail station car park 3 hq 150909