New arrangements for coach tour operators have been unveiled in Plymouth, which take effect from this September.
Visitor and tourist coach operators will have dedicated pick up and drop off points at Derry’s Cross and the Barbican. These facilities will replace existing visitor coach provision at the 1960s Bretonside station, which is being closed to allow a £42m leisure complex to be built.
New stops with waiting shelters are currently being built and pavements around Derry’s Cross roundabout in the city centre is being re-engineered to create two dedicated locations for coaches.
Up to five coaches at one any time will be able to use the bays, which have been designed to take into account continental coaches, with new road markings to create a safe boarding zone for passengers using an offside door.
Operators can also drop off passengers at the existing stop on Commercial Road and at the junction of Lambhay Hill and Commercial Road on the Barbican (beneath the Citadel). Improvements for the latter site are planned and the area is being monitored so that coaches are limited to dropping and picking up passengers, and not allowed to wait there.
Coach parking and driver facilities will be offered on a commercial basis by Plymouth Citybus at its depot at Milehouse (postcode PL3 4AA) and by Stagecoach at its depot at The Ride (postcode PL9 7JT).
The shelters at Derry’s Cross roundabout will have information for drivers and passengers and updated maps are being incorporated in all tourist signs around the city centre and on the waterfront.
Plymouth City Council worked closely with the CPT to make sure both passengers and coach operators are catered for.
Chief Executive of Destination Plymouth, Amanda Lumley, said: “Plymouth receives many visitors who come by coach, especially tours from places such as Germany.
“The redevelopment of Bretonside has provided an opportunity to look at where we can improve drop off facilities close to key tourist attractions, shopping and restaurants.”
Meanwhile, Plymouth’s new coach station for National Express, Megabus and SW Falcon services will have an entrance on Mayflower Street and will be run by National Express.
The seven bay coach station will have real-time passenger information systems, a waiting room, booking office, toilets, a blue badge holder drop off bay, a food and drink concession and cycle stands. There will be an 89-space car park to the west end of the site.
