BOROUGH OF POOLE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP - 10 MARCH 2005
REPORT OF HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TOURISM AND HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
COACH PARKING IN HARBOURSIDE 2 CAR PARK
1Purpose of Report and Policy Implications
1.1To consider requests to allow day-time coach parking in Harbourside 2 Car Park.
1.2A key component of Tourism Strategy is a commitment to manage interests of the tourism industry and the host community.
1.3Harbourside Park is wholly within a defined Tourism Zone identified in the Local Plan – designed to protect and improve the tourism product and interests.
2.Recommendation
.1It is recommended that coaches be allowed to park in Harbourside 2 car park subject to the provisions listed in para 6.1.
3.Background
1.1Up until 2000, coaches dropping customers off on Poole Quay were directed to Harbourside 2 car park to wait until it was time to pick up their passengers. In 2000 there was considerable confidence in the development momentum of the Quay and residents suggested a re-location to Poole Stadium. Their main concerns were the early arrival of coaches, often meeting host families of language school students, congestion around Ballard Road / Labrador Drive and the noise of engines left running. Poole Tourism Panel considered that the imminent development of the new retail centre and the proposed improvement of facilities at Poole Stadium would be sufficient to counter any concern from coach operators and drivers.
1.2Poole Tourism Partnership hosted a ‘Poole Quay Conference’ in May of last year that brought together the main business stakeholders, operators, developers with key Council representatives to establish a shared vision and propose forward action aimed at restoring the momentum of recent years and reviving flagging business confidence. Businesses in the town centre and Poole Quay areas have identified a significant reduction in business from clients arriving by coach in the town.
3.3Whereas in 2000 there was a very confident momentum, there is now widespread concern at reduced business confidence. Contributing factors include:
- The delayed opening of retail outlet centre at the Quays which had been anticipated as Poole Quay’s ‘anchor’ attraction
- The closure of the Aquarium; Poole Pottery Factory Tour and the more local emphasis of the Waterfront Museum
- A changing and more competitive visitor market-place influence by the attractiveness of budget airlines’ overseas destinations and the increase in leisure time spent in participation sports and pursuits
- An increase in competition regionally – including Bournemouth’s Castle Point; Portsmouth’s Gunwharf and Southampton’s West Quay
- A significant drop in coach travel business
3.4Since the Quay Conference, Poole Tourism Partnership have led a new promotional thrust for 2005 and Quay businesses have committed £45,000 of support to:
- Return the Summer Breeze event to Poole Quay on Thursdays in July and September
- Increase promotional activities including a 100,000 print run of a new Poole Quay promotional brochure and a special brochure aimed at promoting family activities
- A major promotion aimed at coach companies
4The coach business
4.1Poole Quay has long been a favourite destination for coach traffic, but a number of past attractions no longer exist, including:
- Edinburgh Woollen Mills (EWM); Poole Pottery Factory Tour and Museum; The Aquarium
- Excellent toilet facilities which are now closed pending opening of new facilities linked to the new retail opening
- Excellent promotion and incentives to drivers provided by Poole Pottery and EWM
- Free coach parking at Harbourside Park, within easy walking distance of the Quay.
4.2Poole Quay still has the potential to achieve significant volumes of coach traffic with attractions like:
- The remaining Poole Pottery outlet centre
- Harbour cruises and visits to Brownsea Island
- A bustling quayside of maritime activity and variety of snacks, cafes, bars and restaurants
- The adjacent High Street and Dolphin Shopping Centre
4.3The changes since 2000 have had an adverse effect because:
- Drivers have chosen to go elsewhere as the combined effect of loss of attractions; loss of toilets; loss of incentives has sent a message that Poole ‘no longer wants our business’
- Drivers perception is that the Stadium parking is ‘on the other side of town’, is too far away from their drop-off area, and lacks facilities.
- those drivers who do come still tend to remain on the ‘drop-off’ bays rather than move off to the stadium
- there is a temptation to wait in the drop off area for ‘an hour or so’. This shorter ‘dwell time’ means that passengers are not being an given opportunity to visit the High Street, take harbour cruises or stay for lunch.
- Promotional efforts have met resistance from companies who perceive a town that is not accommodating their needs
4.4Businesses are reporting significant year on year drops in turnover and those with clearest links to coach traffic are reporting the highest drops – some as high as 50%. This impact has not only been felt on the Quay and Lower High Street – the Dolphin Shopping Centre management too have expressed an adverse impact.
4.5Following the Quay Conference a £10,000 promotion to the coach market in 2005 was prioritised and funding has been pledged by Poole Tourism Panel; boat operators; Brownsea Island; Poole Pottery, and Future 3000. It has been recognised however, that to be successful, clear positive messages and benefits need to be given to the operators/drivers to encourage their visit, and the parking formula was critical to success.
5Outlook
5.1Businesses on the Quay and Town Centre are supported by Poole Tourism and Poole Town Centre Management - with a shared view that while the original confidence about the long term attractiveness of Poole and the potential for coach parking facilities to be developed at the Stadium still exists – the short term concern is grave. Special Events and promotions in 2005 will hopefully be supported by better weather than 2004 and businesses are aiming doing much to improve their situation by improving their product.
5.2Realistically though, some of the most important solutions are at best a year from happening. The opening of the Quays and the new public toilets are critical features. The pending closure of Waterfront Museum for redevelopment for a year and the potential for more building work at Old Orchard and Thistle Hotel sites are possible long term ‘positives’ but short term concerns.
1.1Therefore there is this is a clear request from the business community to seek the allow coach parking at Harbourside 2 Car park at appropriate times, while still retaining the existing provision at Poole Stadium.
1.2The Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, and Poole Town Area Committee considered this issue at their meeting on 2 March. Their views have already been circulated to members of this Group.
6Proposed Management and Restrictions
6.1It is appreciated that there were concerns from local residents about the coach parking at Baiter in the past, but both Tourism and Transportation Services officers are confident that the following measures could alleviate some of these concerns:
- Restricted access to coaches between hours of 10:00 and 18:00.
(outside this time, coaches could still use Poole Stadium). This measure would stop the early morning drop-off by language schools.
- Turn Engines off. Signs will be erected to encourage drivers to turn their engines off and Parking Attendants will patrol the car park to advise drivers of this.
- No access via Ballard Road. Signs would direct coaches via Old Orchard, Lagland Street, Newfoundland Drive, Furnell Road, Labrador Drive and Catalina Drive. Coaches would be directed back to the Quay via Newfoundland Drive – see map attached as Appendix A.
- Increased coach parking enforcement of coach drop-off bays so that coaches are moved on and not stationary in Old Orchard, as well as ensuring compliance with timing restrictions at coach park
- Coach trade communications advising of changes, including emphasising the timing restrictions, route to coach park, no engines to be left running etc.
- A 12 month trial with a commitment to review these arrangements following this period.
.
6.2If this proposal can be introduced for 2005, Poole Tourism Partnership, Town Centre Management and associated businesses will improve relationships with the coach trade by introducing a Meet and Greet service at drop-off points; competitions and quizzes for coach passengers, en route and upon arrival at Poole Quay; incentives for drivers; as well as attending trade events to improve business relationships.
6.3Harbourside 2 currently provides 244 car parking spaces. From 1 April 2005 the conditions will be :
- 1 April to 31 September – normal daily Town Centre charges
- 1 October to 31 March – reduced winter charges but with a maximum stay of 4 hours
It is proposed that spaces will be provided for up to 18 coaches, as shown on the plan as Appendix A.
6.4Signs would be erected to direct coaches to the car mark by the most appropriate route (Appendix A). The signage is anticipated to cost approximately £4,500. There is an allocation for resurfacing the Stadium Lorry Park this year and the signs could also be funded from this allocation. The existing signs directing coaches to the stadium would still be retained.
7Summary
1.1The balance of opinion between local residents and businesses on the issue as to whether coaches park at Harbourside Park is unlikely to be wholly compatible. However, this issue is vital to businesses at a time when business confidence around the Quay and High Street is low. Poole Tourism and Town centre Management are committed to strategies that deliver end value to residents through a prosperous town with economic and employment strength. The benefits are clear to see in recent years with many new restaurants opening in buildings with prior low value use or boarded up; a more convivial drinking atmosphere linked to licensed al fresco frontages and popular quayside and town centre events and markets that are as attractive to local residents as they are to visitors. With proposals emphasising a trial and temporary period it is hoped that the businesses needs can be met in this important Tourism Zone.
GRAHAM SHAWJAMES T BRIGHT
Head of Communications and TourismHead of Transportation Services
Background PapersNone
Appendix A – Plan showing proposed coach route
Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact
Graham Richardson (01202) 262539Steve Dean(01202) 262071
TAG100305T3E
Please note: appendices to this report are not available electronically – please contact Democratic Services on 01202 633026
1