Bristol City Council is keen to implement ‘mobility stations’ across the city
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Open in new tab TRESA thinks this is a great idea and we think Zone N, Bushy Park, would be a good spot. We believe interactive travel information and some transport options (e.g. electric vehicle charging point, car club parking space, cycle parking, benches & water fountain for active travellers) could be incorporated there, whilst also keeping it as a valued green space.
We have written to Cllr Kye Dudd, Cabinet Lead for Transport, and local Cllr Jon Wellington with the proposal below. We hope to have a meeting to discuss this further. We haven’t had a response yet, but we’ll keep you informed!
Key points:
- Zone N is an ideal site for a mobility station: as a ‘first/last mile’ point to central Bristol; on a transport corridor; in a densely populated area, and; with space for mobility station facilities
- Funds have been allocated for improvements to Zone N and TRESA has been discussing design ideas with Bristol City Council, which could incorporate a mobility station
- The table below outlines the draft case for a mobility station on Zone N, Totterdown. Text in italics is from a Bristol City Council presentation on mobility stations.
| What are mobility stations? | |
| First/last mile solutions to connect communities to frequent public transport services and provide integrated transport options | Zone N is the patch of land at the junction of Wells Road and St John’s Lane, Totterdown. It is close to frequent bus services on Wells Road, 0.2 miles walking distance to bus services on Bath Road, 0.7miles walking distance from Temple Meads Station, and 0.8 miles walking distance to Bedminster train station. |
| Why do we need mobility stations? | |
| Congestion on our corridors and in our central areas | Wells Road and Bath Road are congested corridors into and out of the city centre. |
| We have frequent public transport services on our corridors but people not aware of or cannot easily access them | A mobility station on Zone N would be central to the densely populated neighbourhood of Totterdown and would raise awareness of public transport services on Wells Road, Bath Road and at Temple Meads. |
| Connections across the city are not legible | An interactive accessibility tool and wayfinding signage on Zone N would highlight the short walking and cycling distances to bus stops, train stations, the centre of Bristol, and local shopping areas and services. |
| What is based at a mobility station? | |
| Depends on the area and its accessibility to frequent public transport services. Variety of options to reduce need to travel by private car, reduce congestion and improve air quality. But at all of them, there would be clear branding, clear wayfinding and clear and integrated travel information. | |
| In the neighbourhoods, facilities at the mobility stations could include: | |
| Shared dockless bike hubs; EV charge points; Parcel drop points; Secure, pre-bookable cycle parking lockers;
Trailers or cargo bikes to hire to carry shopping; Car club vehicles |
Initial ideas for a Zone N mobility station: |
| EV charge points installed on the edge of Zone N to serve some existing parking spaces | |
| Secure bicycle parking and storage, possibly including a bicycle hangar for local residents | |
| Relocating one of Totterdown’s existing car club spaces to one of the parking spaces at Zone N | |
| Wayfinding signage, including distances, to highlight the close proximity to shops, services, and public transport. | |
| An interactive accessibility tool to highlight bus services on Wells Road and make people aware of the short distances to other bus, metrobus and train services | |
| Benches for tired, older, less able pedestrians to rest | |
| Water fountain for drinking and/or topping up bottles | |
| Mobility stations could be located: | |
| Close to corridors with frequent services | Zone N is on a busy transport corridor (Wells Road) and close to a second busy corridor (Bath Road). |
| In every neighbourhood | Totterdown is a densely populated neighbourhood and the local residents’ group (TRESA) is keen to work with Bristol City Council on the location of a mobility station. |
| Could be on Council owned pockets of land | Zone N is owned by Bristol City Council. Money has been allocated to upgrade the space as a pocket park, and we believe this could include mobility station facilities. |
| In neighbourhoods, could be in place of some on street parking spaces | Zone N has some adjoining parking spaces which makes it ideal for EV charge points and car club parking. However, there is plenty of room for other mobility station ideas without taking up additional space on the highway. |
| Benefits of mobility stations: | |
| Uses/collates existing infrastructure; Recent public consultations reveal that many of our citizens are calling for our existing public transport services to be improved before new/costly interventions; Ties together many modes under same branding, simplifying travel experience across West of England; Perfect to combine ‘mobility as a service’ operators (e.g. dockless bike hire, car clubs, demand responsive taxis) to ensure maximum usage and increases options for citizens; Addresses lack of orbital connections – clear wayfinding can show how to connect easily to mobility stations in other neighbourhoods. | |
| Process for developing mobility stations: | |
| Use accessibility mapping tool (currently under development in transport policy team) to identify ideal locations for mobility stations to maximise accessibility and ensure even coverage of the West of England | If appropriate, TRESA would be happy to assist with this. |
| Audit every location to identify what is there and what needs to be there essential/desirable options | TRESA would be happy to assist with an audit, and is in a strong position to inform and involve the local community through its quarterly newsletter delivered to all homes and businesses in the area, the website, social media and public meetings. |
| Get communities heavily involved from the outset- what do they want from their mobility stations? | TRESA is already helping to improve Zone N as a pocket park. This could be extended to include a mobility station. |