Decision details

(1)  Due to the high cost of service diversions to provide a bus lay-by and other associated enhancements, the bus stop improvement outside Orpington Station will no longer proceed as previously agreed (Report ES14075).

(2)  The S106 funds, Borough Cycling Programme, and LIP cycling/walking funds are to be used to improve the Station forecourt, reduce the impact of traffic queuing to enter the Station (having a knock-on effect on Crofton Road), and for the provision of new high quality cycle parking for 60 bicycles alongside other improvements to cycle parking.

(3)  Further investigations are to be undertaken regarding possible changes to Station Road to address the issues associated with congestion resulting from queueing from the Tower Road/View Road junction.

To help reduce traffic congestion along Crofton Road, measures are proposed to improve management of the Orpington Station forecourt (a separate study is being undertaken on improvements to Station Road to the east of the bridge, particularly at the Tower Road/Hill View Road junction). The current layout of the forecourt is also considered poor and due to the high cost of service diversionsit is no longer thought appropriate to install a lay-by and other associated enhancements for the bus stop outside of the station.

Measures now proposed will improve bus stop facilities and relieve congestion along Crofton Road linked to increased car parking at the station. A re-designed forecourt will manage vehicle and pedestrian movements better (including vehicle movements in and out of the station) and new secure cycle parking will provide higher quality facilities.

A further refinement of the proposed design, as tabled at the Environment PDS Committee meeting, includes nine taxi bays. It also includes increased provision for seven pick-up/drop-off bays. Double yellow lines are also added and cycle provision will be clarified in a final design.

The total cost of the scheme is estimated at £120k to be funded mostly from a S106 sum of £81,977 related to the Orpington Tesco development. The 2016/17 BCP programme will fund a further £25k and the 2016/17 LIP budget for Cycling and Walking will fund the remaining £13k.