Priory Park & Ride – a transport hub fit for 21st century

Hull City Council has released a new concept video and images showing how the city’s Park & Ride could look after a proposed transformation.

As part of its efforts to reduce traffic in the city centre and encourage alternative forms of transport, the council wants to turn the existing Priory Park & Ride, off the A63 Clive Sullivan Way in West Hull, into an environmentally friendly transport hub. It will provide integrated multi-modal travel options and a high-quality customer experience.

The new visualisations demonstrate how the Priory Park transport hub would offer, among other things -

• solar canopies
• electric vehicle charging
• improved waiting areas
• better passenger information
• enhanced security

The innovative plans include -

• real-time bus information screens
• integrated journey planner touchscreens
• refreshment facilities
• office space
• parcel delivery lockers
• electric buses
• solar energy canopies
• electric vehicle charging
• electric bicycle and scooter charging
• secure bicycle parking
• priority parking
• public bicycle sharing scheme
• digital support for visually impaired bus passengers
• improved CCTV
• 24/7 help points
• luggage or shopping trolleys
• bee-friendly living roof

The Park & Ride is a key part of the recently launched Hull Bus Service Improvement Plan. It forms part of the ambitious Hull 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy.

The council this week announced its participation in the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign. It encourages local businesses and residents to drive down their emissions and take positive action on climate change.

Councillor Dean Kirk, portfolio holder for transport, roads and highways, said - 'We are excited to today unveil our vision for the future of Priory Park & Ride.'

'While just a concept at this stage, this innovative, environmentally friendly transport hub would offer a much-improved passenger experience to encourage more people to leave their cars, choose greener forms of transport and play their part in tackling climate change.'

'With the right investment, we believe the Park & Ride has a key role to play in changing the way people travel in our city.'

'We hope to be able to make this vision a reality over the next couple of years as we continue our drive to make Hull a carbon-neutral city by 2030.'

Extra services are also provided for football and rugby fixtures at the MKM Stadium. This is as well as for Hull Fair and other large events in the city centre, such as the Freedom Festival.

The council hopes to be able to extend these hours of operation, with buses running 7 days a week.

Priory Park & Ride is linked to the city centre by a Stagecoach bus service

The newly formed Enhanced Bus Partnership will also explore ways to reduce the journey times from and to the Park & Ride.

Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said - 'As we continue to recover from the pandemic, we are focused on rebuilding the bus network to support Hull’s local economy.

'Park & Ride is a vital aspect of the city’s future transport strategy, encouraging commuters and visitors to leave their cars and make the last part of their journey in a more environmentally friendly way, helping to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.'

'We are excited by Hull City Council’s vision for Priory Park, which plans for excellent customer facilities with innovative new ideas to enhance the experience of Park & Ride in Hull.'

'We look forward to working in partnership to make this virtual concept a reality in the near future.'

Other options also being explored for the Park & Ride site include -

• designated section of the car park for carpooling
• pick-up point for coach holidays
• HGV park or rest area
• opportunities for sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) to help flood prevention

As part of the Hull Bus Service Improvement Plan, the council is also exploring options for Park & Ride facilities to the north and the east of the city. This is in addition to being integrated with transport hubs.