1. The School Bus Problem
Issues and Options
Tuesday 18 March
APRA and FSRA

2. 2
The Cause
… bus sizes and numbers have
grown with the School's success
… bus sizes and numbers have
grown with the School's success

3. 3
School Bus Network
… the bus service
underpins the
School's success
by extending its
catchment area
… the bus service
underpins the
School's success
by extending its
catchment area

4. 4
Bus Flow Density
… heaviest bus traffic
in narrowest streets
of Cathedral quarter
… heaviest bus traffic
in narrowest streets
of Cathedral quarter

5. 5
The School Bus Effect

Danger to pedestrians, including children

Damage to parked cars and buildings

Frequent traffic conflicts and congestion

Resident parking restrictions

Increased pollution

Negative impact on Cathedral area character
… local residents and businesses are the
victims of the School's success

6. 6
The Current Situation

Danger and nuisance from buses is
unacceptable

Agreed by Council and School last March

Romeland Traffic Scheme solution proposed

Many residents objected to obvious dangers

HCC Safety Audit agreed, too risky,
essentially because ...
... the buses are too large for the narrow streets
of the Cathedral quarter

7. 7
Safety Audit Findings

Buses turning out of George St increase risk of
collisions between vehicles and or pedestrians
… but what about buses turning into George St?

Insufficient road width (<5.6m) in Romeland to allow
two-way traffic increases the risk of conflict
… but what about George St, Romeland Hill and
Fishpool St?
... the risks are the same, the dangers remain

8. 8
Dual-use bay the Solution?
For students:
no pavement,
tight squeeze,
single file
access, easily
obstructed ...
For students:
no pavement,
tight squeeze,
single file
access, easily
obstructed ...

9. 9
Dual-use bay the Solution?
For buses:
too large for
the bays, road
obstruction ...
For buses:
too large for
the bays, road
obstruction ...
For all: it's an
accident waiting
to happen,
unfit for purpose
For all: it's an
accident waiting
to happen,
unfit for purpose

10. 10
Alternative Solutions
School
… bus stand space outside
the Cathedral area with an
easy walk to School ...
… bus stand space outside
the Cathedral area with an
easy walk to School ...

11. 11
Romeland Hill

Advantage – proximity to School front gate

Bus access – very poor, narrowest streets

Suitability for:

Buses - very poor

Drop-off and pick-up - very poor

Issues:

Dangers remain

Dual-use bay will not help

Conclusion – unfit for purpose
… with reasonably foreseeable dangers

12. 12
Westminster Lodge and Museum

Advantages – not Romeland Hill, sustainable

Bus access – very good, avoids Cathedral area

Suitability for:

Buses – excellent

Drop-off and pick-up – excellent

Issues – other users and lighting

Conclusion – much more suitable, at a cost
… potential for Section 106 funds?

13. 13
Recap – Cause and Effects
Danger to pedestrians
Damage to cars and buildings
Frequent traffic congestion
Increased pollution
Adverse impact on Cathedral area
Danger to pedestrians
Damage to cars and buildings
Frequent traffic congestion
Increased pollution
Adverse impact on Cathedral area

14. 14
More Sustainable Solutions
… adds about 5 mins to the
journey or nothing with a new
Park entrance to the School
… adds about 5 mins to the
journey or nothing with a new
Park entrance to the School

15. 15
Summary

The present arrangements for School buses
are unsafe and unfit for purpose

There is a duty of care to the local community
and a bus ban is possible

Options are available to dilute and distribute
their impact outside the Cathedral quarter

Residents expect the Council to take the lead
to provide the much needed solution
… in short, a compelling case for action

16. 16
The Way Forward
Council to work with the School and others to:

plan, fund and implement a sustainable solution over
the next 12 months, starting asap

confirm Section 106 powers will be used in respect of
any future School developments

initiate bus stand safety audit in advance of changes
to Romeland Hill dual-use bay parking restrictions

introduce “school keep clear markings” at the Abbey
Gateway

produce good practice guide for school bus schemes

17. 17
School Bus Prohibition

An order prohibiting buses
is likely to be made where
country lanes are narrow
and inappropriate for
buses or where buses are
likely to cause a nuisance
to residents

Limited exceptions are
possible, for example
“Except for access to off-
street premises”… specifically designed
to solve our problem
… specifically designed
to solve our problem

18. 18
Non Nobis Nati
or
‘Born not for ourselves’
The School motto which, as its website states:
“embodies the School’s ideal of social
responsibility and service to the community
and a recognition that privilege must be
balanced by obligation”.