Agenda Item No. 5 (a)

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Neighbourhoods and Community Scrutiny Panel

24th February, 2009

Access to Parks and Green Spaces by Public Transport Briefing Note

1) Summary

1. This briefing forms part of the Scrutiny Policy Review Scoping Document entitled “Green Spaces – Promotion, Protection and Management”. The overall aim and scope of the review is to assess how public green spaces in are promoted, protected and managed, and to make three key recommendations.

2. One of the three key recommendations relates to access, specifically with the intention of increasing community access and involvement in the Borough’s green space.

3. Sandwell’s Green Space Audit (2006) identified 539 green areas, equating to a total area of just over 2,000 hectares, or 24% of the entire area of the Borough. Unlike other Metropolitan Areas, Sandwell’s green space is not located on the periphery but in locations within the conurbation.

4. Sandwell has a comprehensive bus within the Borough boundary, with high frequency bus routes along the main transport corridors and between most district centres. The bus remains the most commonly used form of public transport in the Borough.

5. Heavy rail provision in the Borough covers three lines with 12 rail stations serving the Borough. Hamstead and Tame Bridge stations provide access to Sandwell Valley and Powke Lane/Totnal Bridge and Rowley Hills open spaces can be accessed via the towpath to No2 Canal from station. The Galton Valley Canal and heritage trail can be accessed from Galton Bridge station, being just a small walk away from the entrance to the canal towpath.

6. Midland Metro Line 1 also passes through and has 11 stops in the Borough. Kendrick Park stop is adjoins that open space, the allotments and playing fields. Central is the nearest Metro stop to Dartmouth Park and the Sandwell Valley.

7. This briefing makes use of existing literature on green spaces in the Borough through the Sandwell Unitary Development Plan (2004) to define the areas of green space for which access by public transport would be a consideration. It will build on the existing Sandwell UDP (2004) Policy OS12: Accessibility, which defines the wider transport and physical access requirements for sports and recreation facilities, but not for green space.

8. The briefing also uses the latest Network West Midlands public transport maps of the network to analyse the quality of access to areas of green space within the Borough by public transport.

9. The structure used divides the Borough into six sections; the “six towns” of Sandwell. This is to provide a comprehensive analysis of access to green space by analysing each specific locality.

2) Definitions of Green Space in Sandwell

1. According to the Sandwell UDP (2004) Policy OS1: Open Space Hierarchy (page 91), existing provision of green space in the Borough has been ranked according to the Type of open space, its Function, Distance from Home and the Characteristics of the open space in question. The hierarchy contains seven types of open space, however it is considered that for an analysis of public transport access only the top three types are relevant. This is due to the distance from home element of the hierarchy; a distance from home of between 1.2 to up to 8 kilometres defines the top three from other types of open space. These are (see below):

• Regional Parks, Regional Wildspace and Green Belt • Strategic Open Space and Wildspace • Town Parks

2. The function of these areas of open space is to provide access mainly at the weekend and occasional visits by car or public transport. Refer to Table 1 (below) for a detailed description of the open space defined:

Type Function Distance from Characteristics Home Regional Mainly Up to 8 km Large areas of rural type land, including woodland and Parks, weekend and agricultural land. Some areas not publicly accessible. Regional occasional Primarily providing for informal recreation, but should Wildspace visits by car include a strategic area for play. Car parking at key and Green or public locations. Belt transport Strategic Mainly Up to 8 km Large areas of open space. Includes: formal parks Open Space weekend and and private open space; land of rural character; and and occasional land of nature conservation value. Should include a Wildspace visits by car strategic area for play. Adequate car parking and or public cycle parking. transport Town Parks Mainly 1.2 km Landscape setting with a variety of natural features weekend and providing for a wide range of activities; formal and occasional informal, or of a more specialist character e.g. nature visits by car conservation. The non-specialist parks should include or public a neighbourhood area for play. Size about 15-40 ha. transport Some car parking.

Table 1: Description of open space designated as being accessible by public transport

3. The bottom four types of open space not included in Table 1 (above) are defined in the local context only and are likely to be accessed predominantly by pedestrians, being within 0.4 kilometres Distance from Home. Certain public transport accesses some of these open spaces and where there is direct access this is commented upon in the analysis.

4. According to the Sandwell UDP (2004) Proposals Map, the top three types of Open Space as listed in Table 1 (on previous page) are situated in the six towns in Table 2 (below) as follows:

West Smethwick Oldbury Bromwich Sandwell Warley Barnford Sheepwash Hydes Road Valley Country Woods Hill Park Park/Corngreaves Urban Park Pools Park/Dartmouth Park Lightwoods Titford Rowley Victoria Park Brunswick Park Pools Hills/Warrens Hall (Tipton) Park Red House Park Galton Bury Hill Park The Valley Cracker/Central Canal Powke Avenue Lane/Totnal West Bridge Smethwick Park Codsall Coppice

Victoria Britannia Park Park (Smethwick)

Table 2: Open space designated in the six towns of Sandwell 5. The green spaces listed in Table 2 (above) have been selected through their identification on the Sandwell UDP (2004) Proposals Map as having characteristics associated with the top three hierarchical definitions of open space in the Sandwell UDP (2004). The area of green space may be smaller than other neighbourhood areas of green space, but may include more features, i.e. an Area of Potential Archaeological Importance, a Local Nature Reserve, or a Wildlife Corridor. These features would boost the potential of the particular area of green space to attract visitors from outside the neighbourhood by public transport.

6. In addition, public transport access to Park in Oldbury, Forge Lane Park in Rowley Regis, and Jubilee and Farley Parks in Tipton have also been considered due to their local importance.

3) Existing Bus Access to Green Spaces

1. Public Transport access to the green spaces identified in Table 2 is given by town below. The quality and frequency of public transport access has been provided by analysing the latest Network West Midlands Map and Guide (July 2008).

West Bromwich

Sandwell Valley Country Park/Dartmouth Park

The southern entrance to the Valley from Europa Avenue is provided for limited periods by the 407H (Europa Village/Scott Arms, via West Bromwich evening 30-60 minute service) and the 640 (Hill Top/Europa Village, via West Bromwich) bus services.

The West Bromwich centre entrance, via Dartmouth Park, is served directly by the 405 (/Yew Tree Estate, via Bescot Crescent, with a 15 minute daytime and 30 minute evening service), the 405A (Walsall/West Bromwich, via Fullbrook and Stone Cross, 30 minute Sunday service), the 406H (West Bromwich/Scott Arms, via Hamstead Village, 12 minute or better daytime and 60 minute evening service) and the 407H already mentioned. In addition, with a slightly longer walk, all the buses using West Bromwich Town Centre serve it.

Bus services 406H and 407H and 451 (/West Bromwich via Scott Arms, every 10 minutes or less daytime and 30 minute evening), all run along Newton Road and allow access to that side of the Valley.

The northern side of the Valley abutting Hamstead is served by the 16 (/Hamstead 10 minute daytime and 20 minute evening service), the 406H, 407H, and 424 (Birmingham/North Birmingham College, via Perry Beeches daytime 60 minute service), the 425 (Hamstead/Scott Arms, via Longleat Avenue and Whitecrest, 60 minute daytime service) and the 654A (Perry Barr/Valley Road, and Hampstead 60 minute evening service).

Finally the eastern, Birmingham, side of the Sandwell Valley is served by the 101 (Birmingham/Oxhill Road, via Jewellery Quarter, 10 minute or better) service and the 654 and 654A services.

Red House Park

Red House Park is only really served by the 424 and 451 services that use Newton Road, although it is a short walk from Scott Arms, which is served by the Walsall/Birmingham services and others.

Smethwick

Warley Woods

Warley Woods is well served by buses that run and stop at several locations on the boundary of the open space. The 448 (West Bromwich/Queen Elizabeth Hospital via Bearwood), 448A, (West Bromwich/Queen Elizabeth Hospital via Smethwick and Bearwood), and 447 (West Bromwich/Bearwood services effectively provide a bus every 15 minutes daytime and 30 minutes in the evenings) serving two sides of the Woods, namely Harborne Road and Lightwoods Hill. The other sides are served on Abbey Road by the 128 (Birmingham/Blackheath via Fiveways, Warley and Oldbury with a 20 minute daytime service and a 60 minute evening service) and the 258 (Birmingham/Merry Hill, via Brandhall and Blackheath with a 20 minute daytime service and a 60 minute evening service). In addition the fourth side along Barclay Road is served by the 444 (Bearwood/West Bromwich service, via Londonderry, which gives a 30 minute daytime service). Therefore Warley Woods is very accessible by bus.

Lightwoods Park

The eastern entrance to Lightwoods Park is adjacent to Bearwood bus station and the Birmingham Radial bus stops on the Hagley Road. Consequently it is served by the 40X (Bearwood/Perry Barr, via Smethwick and Handsworth), the 82 (Birmingham/Bearwood, via Sandpits and Dudley Road), the 200 (Oldbury/Bearwood circular, via Rood End and Brandhall), the 201 (Oldbury/Bearwood circular), the 444 (Bearwood/West Bromwich), 447 (Bearwood/West Bromwich), the 450 (West Bromwich/Bearwood, via Smethwick), the 478 (Wednesbury/Bearwood, via West Bromwich and Smethwick) and the 647 (Weoley Castle/Bearwood, via Moorpool). It is also a very short distance from the bus stops on Bearwood Road, the 11A (Birmingham Outer Circle anticlockwise), the 11C (Birmingham Outer Circle clockwise), the 123 (Perry Barr/Merry Hill Centre via Bearwood), the 443 (Four Dwellings/Bearwood via Harborne), and the 448 (Queen Elizabeth Hospital/West Bromwich, via Bearwood). This gives Lighwoods Park excellent accessibility by bus.

The potential of these two open spaces is increased by the recent improvements which have been made to them and that by using Lightwoods Park extension west of Galton Road walkers can use them both, only having to cross one road.

Galton Valley Canal Heritage Area

The Galton Valley Canal Heritage Area is served by the 450 service (Bearwood/West Bromwich via Smethwick, two operators, 15-25 minute frequency at peak times, 20 minute daytime service) by alighting at Brasshouse Lane. It can also be reached by the 80 (West Bromwich/Birmingham via Smethwick, 15 minute service), the 87 (Birmingham/Dudley via Oldbury, frequent daytime service, 30 minute evening service) and the 448A (Queen Elizabeth Hospital/West Bromwich via Smethwick, 30 minute evening service), by alighting at Smethwick Galton Bridge rail station and walking to the canal towpath from there.

West Smethwick Park

The park can be accessed by the 444 (Bearwood/West Bromwich), the 447 (Bearwood/West Bromwich), and the 448 (Queen Elizabeth Hospital/West Bromwich, via Bearwood) by alighting on Holly Lane, or by the 200 (Oldbury/Bearwood circular, via Rood End and Brandhall), and the 201 (Oldbury/Bearwood circular) by alighting on Victoria Road.

Victoria Park (Smethwick)

Access to the park by bus can be attained by the 80 (Birmingham/West Bromwich via Smethwick, frequent daytime service), the 87 (Birmingham/Dudley via Oldbury, frequent daytime service) and the 450 (Bearwood/West Bromwich via Smethwick, two operators, 15-25 minute frequency at peak times, 20 minute daytime service) services, from the High Street, as well as the 438 (West Bromwich/Cape Hill via Crocketts Lane, 30 minute daytime service), the 439 (West Bromwich/Cape Hill via Smethwick Rolfe Street, 30 minute daytime service) and the 446 (Brandhall/Cape Hill via Smethwick, hourly daytime service), by walking from Corbett Street (near Windmills Shopping Centre).

Oldbury

Barnford Hill Park

Barnford Hill Park is only accessible by bus if a walk is included as the nearest services are the 123 (Perry Barr/Merry Hill Centre, via Bearwood 30 minute daytime service) on Pound Road and Bristnall Hall Road, 128 (Birmingham/Blackheath, via Five Ways, Warley and Oldbury 20 minute daytime and 60 minute evening service) on Bristnall Hall Road and 88 (Birmingham/Blackheath, via Londonderry, 20 minute daytime and 30 minute evening service), 449 (Brandhall/West Bromwich, via Langley Green 20 minute morning and 30 minute evening) and 449A (20 minute daytime services) on New Henry Street.

Titford Pools

Titford Pools is accessible by bus services 404 (Blackheath/Walsall via Oldbury, West Bromwich, frequent daytime service), 404A (/Walsall via Blackheath, 30 minute daytime and evening service), 404B, (Cradley Heath/Walsall via Oldbury, 15 minute peak service and 15-30 minute daytime service), 404H (West Bromwich/Merry Hill via Oldbury, hourly daytime service), and the 417 (TWM service – /Hayley Green via Hasbury, hourly evening service, Ludlow’s service – Hayley Green/West Bromwich via Blackheath, 30 minute daytime service) from alighting on Birchfield Road and walking to the park entrance. The 126 (Birmingham/ via Bearwood, frequent daytime service and 20 minute evening service) can also be used to access the park, by alighting at the Wolverhampton Road/Titford Road junction and walking along Titford Road to the park entrance.

Tividale Park

Tividale Park is served by the 87 (Birmingham/Dudley via Oldbury, multiple operators, frequent daytime service), by alighting on Dudley Road West, or the 126 (Birmingham/Wolverhampton via Bearwood, frequent daytime service), the 205 (/Blackheath via Oakham, 30 minute daytime service) and the 208 (Dudley/Merry Hill Centre via Cradley Heath, hourly daytime service), by alighting on New Birmingham Road.

Rowley Regis

Haden Hill Park/Corngreaves

Haden Hill Park is mainly served by the 138 (Birmingham/ 30 minute evening service), 139 (Birmingham/Merry Hill Centre via Halesowen and Cradley Heath 15 minute daytime service) and 242 (Dudley/, via Halesowen, 30 minute daytime and 60 minute evening bus services).

In addition the Timbertree end of the park and open space is served by the 007 (Merry Hill/Bromsgrove 60 minute daytime service), 240 (Stourbridge/Cradley Heath 60 minute daytime) and 243 (Dudley/Timbertree 60 minute evening) bus services.

Rowley Hills/Warrens Hall

The Rowley Hills Country Park can be accessed using the 120 (Birmingham/Dudley via Five Ways, Bearwood and Oldbury), 205 (Kingswinford/Blackheath, via Dudley and Oakham, 30 minute daytime and 60 minute evening) and the 208 (Dudley/Merry Hill Centre via Oakham and Cradley Heath 60 minute evening service).

Bury Hill Park

Three buses serve this park. Two 126 services (Birmingham/Wolverhampton run by different operators run better than 10 minute daytime and 20 minute evening services along Wolverhampton Road) and 688 (Dudley/West Bromwich, via Oakham and Oldbury operates a 30 minute daytime service) on Tower Road.

Powke Lane/Totnal Bridge

The northern part of this open space accessed from Powke Lane is served by 238 (West Bromwich/Merry Hill, via Oldbury and Blackheath 60 minute daytime service), 258 (Birmingham/Merry Hill Centre, via Brandhall and Blackheath 20 minute daytime and 60 minute evening service), 404A (Walsall/Cradley Heath, via West Bromwich and Blackheath 30 minute service) and 404H (West Bromwich/Merry Hill, via Blackheath and Oldbury better than 12 minute daytime and 60 minute evening bus service).

Codsall Coppice

Codsall Coppice is served by the 230 (Cradley Heath/Halesowen via Blackheath, hourly daytime service), with pedestrian access to the park from Codsall Road.

Britannia Park

Britannia Park can be reached by bus from alighting on Birmingham Road, with the 128 (Birmingham/Blackheath via Oldbury, 20 minute daytime service), the 140 (Birmingham/Dudley via Bearwood, 20-30 minute daytime service), the 238 (West Bromwich/Merry Hill Centre via Oldbury, 30 minute service) and the 241 (Dudley/Halesowen via Blackheath, 30 minute daytime service) serving the park.

Forge Lane Park

The open space near to Forge Lane is served by the 123 (Perry Barr/Merry Hill Centre via Bearwood, 30 minute daytime service), the 138 (Birmingham/Russells Hall Hospital via Halesowen, 30 minute evening service), the 139 (Birmingham/Russells Hall Hospital via Halesowen, 15 minute daytime service), the 208 (Dudley/Merry Hill Centre via Oakham and Cradley Heath 60 minute evening service), the 214 (/Fatherless Barn via Colley Gate, hourly daytime service), the 243 (Dudley/Timbertree via Cradley Heath, 15 minute daytime service) and the 404H (West Bromwich/Merry Hill via Blackheath, hourly daytime service) by alighting on Forge Lane.

Tipton

Sheepwash Urban Park

The western side of Sheepwash Urban Park is served by the 74 (Birmingham/Great Bridge, via West Bromwich, 12 minute daytime service), 74A (Greets Green/Dudley, via Great Bridge, 60 minute daytime service) and 644 (West Bromwich/Tipton, via Hill Top and Great Bridge 30 minute daytime) bus services. The north-eastern side is served by the 459 (Oldbury/Stone Cross via Great Bridge which runs adjacent to the boundary and provides a 60 minute daytime service) and routes 401 (West Bromwich/, via Princes End with a 30 minute daytime service), 402 (West Bromwich/Central Avenue, via Central Avenue giving a 10-12 minute daytime service) and 402A (West Bromwich/Tipton, via Great Bridge, providing a 60 minute evening service), all of which use Whitehall Road which is a short walk away.

Victoria Park (Tipton)

Victoria Park (Tipton) is served by the 545 service (multiple operators between Wolverhampton/Dudley via Bilston, 15 minute frequency during daytimes, hourly evening service), which allows entry to the park from Park Lane West, and the 644 service (multiple operators between Tipton/West Bromwich via Hill Top, 30 minute daytime and evening service) which allows entry to the park from Victoria Road and Queens Road.

The Cracker/Central Avenue

This area of open space is served by the 402 service (West Bromwich/Central Avenue, via Central Avenue giving a 10-12 minute daytime service) with entrance to the park from Central Avenue.

Jubilee Park

Jubilee Park is served by the 313 (Stourbridge/Walsall via Wednesbury, 15 minute daytime service, hourly evening service) and the 313A (Stourbridge/Walsall via Wednesbury and Myvod, hourly evening service) by alighting on Powis Avenue.

Farley Park

Farley Park is served by the 401 (West Bromwich/Bilston, via Princes End with a 30 minute daytime service), 402 service (West Bromwich/Central Avenue, via Central Avenue giving a 10-12 minute daytime service), and the 402A (West Bromwich/Tipton, via Great Bridge, providing a 60 minute evening service) by alighting on Whitehall Road, or the 459 (Oldbury/Stone Cross via Great Bridge, providing a 60 minute daytime service) by alighting on Elizabeth Road.

Wednesbury

Hydes Road Pools

This area of green space is served by the 428 (Wednesbury/West Bromwich, 20 minute daytime service), the 429 (Wednesbury/West Bromwich via Hateley Heath, 20 minute daytime service), and the 478 (Wednesbury/Bearwood via West Bromwich, 30 minute evening service), with entrance to the park via Hydes Road.

Brunswick Park

Brunswick Park is served by the 313 (Stourbridge/Walsall via Wednesbury, 15 minute daytime service, hourly evening service), 313A (Stourbridge/Walsall via Wednesbury and Myvod, hourly evening service) and the 399 (Walsall/Wednesbury via Gallagher Retail Park, hourly daytime service) with entrance to the park from Wood Green Road. The park can also be accessed by the 399 (see above) and the 645 (/Wood Estate (Kent Road) via Wednesbury, hourly daytime service) from Brunswick Park Road.

4) Greenspace audit

1. The Planning Policy section in the Urban Regeneration theme completed a “Greenspace Quality Audit” in 2008. 2. The purpose of the audit was to measure the amount of green space in the Borough by Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping and to categorise different areas of green space according to their significance. A hierarchy was established to classify the importance or significance of Borough’s green spaces. This can be seen in Table 3, below:

Hierarchy level Description Borough Those sites whose significance should attract people from across the entire borough. Usually large sites with a range of facilities or designated importance for history or nature conservation. Neighbourhood Those sites which perform a function that serves a more immediate community. Unlikely to attract people from across the borough Local Those sites which perform a function to a small area – typically areas of amenity green space. Table 3: Hierarchy Level 3. Each site that was mapped on the GIS system was assigned a hierarchy level which was then checked onsite when carrying out the quality audit.

4. In this study, examples of all three classifications have been used to reflect the diversity of green space across the borough. For example, whereas Sandwell Valley Country Park/Dartmouth Park has been classified as having a “Borough”-wide significance, the green space located near “The Cracker/Central Avenue” is classified as being “Local”. However due to the presence of a bus service which alights close to the park, the potential for visitors to this area of green space is enhanced.

5) Conclusions about existing bus access generally.

1. There is no bus service, even to the Sandwell Valley, that runs to a park. Access is provided as a result of services connecting other places passing by the park or open space.

2. Generally it seems that bus stops on existing routes can adequately serve the park or open space. However it is not often that they have been sited near the entrance as the principal reason.

3. It needs to be remembered that the number of routes, period of availability and the frequency of buses reduces drastically on Sundays. The core time of operation on a Sunday is 10.00 until 18.00 and outside that time there are even less buses and routes run. Therefore accessing parks and open spaces by bus in the long summer days is difficult.

4. Even for sites that are well located during the week access on a Sunday is more difficult. Lightwoods Park in Bearwood and Hyde’s Road in Wednesbury are two examples of good park access with an evening bus service that serves the park with a 20 minute (or better) frequency, whilst Victoria Park in Tipton is an example of a park being only served by an hourly evening or Sunday service, and Codsall Coppice is an example of a park that is not served by any evening or Sunday services.

6) Potential for Change in Bus Access

1. Bus operation is commercial and unregulated and the operators largely dictate where buses run and how frequently. Centro are able to provide contracted services which are socially necessary, however these are based on a strict criteria assessment and are subject to the subsidy being available.

2. In such an environment it is difficult to see how improvements can be made to the accessibility of parks and open spaces unless it happens as a by-product of some other action.

3. Similarly the location of bus stops is determined by discussions between the operators, Centro and the Council as Highway Authority.

4. The main opportunity for issues to be raised about the bus network and services is the annual Sandwell Bus Conference which is a public forum attended by Centro and the Bus Operators and. Access to parks and open space has not been raised at any of these. At other meetings the problems of bus access to special events, such as Sandwell Show, have been raised.

Access to Parks and Green Spaces By Transport Network.

1) Access by Heavy Rail.

1. Heavy rail provision in the Borough covers three lines with 12 rail stations serving the Borough. Hamstead and Tame Bridge stations provide access to Sandwell Valley and Powke Lane/Totnal Bridge and Rowley Hills open spaces can be accessed via the towpath to Dudley No2 Canal from Old Hill station. The Galton Valley Canal and heritage trail can be accessed from Smethwick Galton Bridge station, being just a small walk away from the entrance to the canal towpath.

2) Access by Metro.

1. Midland Metro Line 1 also passes through and has 11 stops in the Borough. Kendrick Park stop is adjoins that open space, the allotments and playing fields. West Bromwich Central is the nearest Metro stop to Dartmouth Park and the Sandwell Valley.

3) Access by Bus.

3.1) Introduction.

1. Sandwell has a comprehensive bus network within the Borough boundary, with high frequency bus routes along the main transport corridors and between most district centres. The bus remains the most commonly used form of public transport in the Borough.

2. The structure used to assess the situation divided the Borough into six sections; the “six towns” of Sandwell. This provided a comprehensive analysis of access to green space by analysing each specific locality. The greenspaces chosen are listed below:

West Smethwick Oldbury Rowley Regis Tipton Wednesbury Bromwich Sandwell Warley Barnford Haden Hill Sheepwash Hydes Road Valley Country Woods Hill Park Park/Corngreaves Urban Park Pools Park/Dartmouth Park Lightwoods Titford Rowley Victoria Park Brunswick Park Pools Hills/Warrens Hall (Tipton) Park Red House Park Galton Tividale Bury Hill Park The Valley Park Cracker/Central Canal Powke Avenue Lane/Totnal West Bridge Jubilee Park Smethwick Park Codsall Coppice Farley Park

Victoria Britannia Park Park (Smethwick) Forge Lane Park

3.2) Assessment of Bus Access to Green Spaces

2. Public Transport access to the green spaces identified in the Table above has been assessed for quality and frequency by analysing the latest Network West Midlands Map and Guide (July 2008).

3.3) Conclusions about existing bus access generally.

1. There is no bus service, even to the Sandwell Valley, that runs to a park as its terminus. Access is provided as a result of services connecting other places passing by the park or open space.

2. Generally it seems that bus stops on existing routes can adequately serve the park or open space. However it is not often that they have been sited near the entrance as the principal reason. Siting bus stops by park entrances may have implications for the future maintenance regime for trees nearby in the park.

3. The number of services and frequency reduces after 18.00 and this affects accessibility, most importantly for summer evenings.

4. It also needs to be remembered that the number of routes, period of availability and the frequency of buses reduces drastically on Sundays. The core time of operation on a Sunday is 10.00 until 18.00 for those services which do run and outside that time there are even less buses and routes run. Therefore accessing parks and open spaces by bus on Sundays and particularly the long summer days is difficult.

5. Even for sites that are well located during the week access on a Sunday is more difficult. Lightwoods Park in Bearwood and Hyde’s Road in Wednesbury are two examples of good park access with an evening bus service that serves the park with a 20 minute (or better) frequency, whilst Victoria Park in Tipton is an example of a park being only served by an hourly evening or Sunday service, and Codsall Coppice is an example of a park that is not served by any evening or Sunday services.

3.4) Potential for Change in Bus Access

1. Bus operation is commercial and unregulated and the operators largely dictate where buses run and how frequently. Centro are able to provide contracted services which are socially necessary, however these are based on a strict criteria assessment and are subject to the subsidy being available.

2. In such an environment it is difficult to see how improvements can be made to the accessibility of parks and open spaces unless it happens as a by-product of some other action.

3. Similarly the location of bus stops is determined by discussions between the operators, Centro and the Council as Highway Authority.

4. The main opportunity for issues to be raised about the bus network and services is the annual Sandwell Bus Conference which is a public forum attended by Centro and the Bus Operators and. Access to parks and open space has not been raised at any of these. At other meetings the problems of bus access to special events, such as Sandwell Show, have been raised.

4) Access by Bicycle.

1. The Local Cycle Network is a proposal in the Adopted Unitary Development Plan and it provides routes linking all the centres in Sandwell.

2. The Network provides good access to most parks and open spaces. Where a signed cycle route does not exist then the road network provides access.

3. In some cases parks and open spaces have cycle routes across them, e.g. Jubilee Park, Tipton. Route 5 of the National Cycle Network runs through the Sandwell Valley.

5) Access by Walking.

1. Access to parks and open spaces on foot is good from the pavement network. Parks generally have set entrances which sometimes do not correspond to desire lines. In the case of open spaces some accesses have been created over time by use.

2. In addition access is available via Public Rights of Way. These are subject to an ongoing programme of improvement to ensure that they are easy to use and signed.

3. The Council approved a Rights of Way Improvement Plan, ROWIP, in 2007. This takes forward proposals raised during the consultation on the ROWIP which would, amongst other things, give the potential for longer distance walks by creating Public Rights of Way which help to link up parks and open spaces. Therefore, for example, it would be possible to go from The Dudley No 2 Canal to the Wolverhampton Road at Bury Hill Park on Rights of Way, crossing just two roads and from Hydes Road to Bescot and on round to the Sandwell Valley on Rights of Way once these proposals are implemented.

Contact Officers

Richard White/John McIlroy Planning and Transportation Division January, 2009