On 28 July, Newport SLSC President Rob Emerson attended a meeting with representatives from the Newport Residents Association, the Newport Chamber of Commerce and our local State Member Rob Stokes, regarding the proposal to extend the B-Line to Newport (originally it was to terminate at Mona Vale) and the impacts of turning and laying over buses in the Newport Beach carpark.
The three parties outlined their range of concerns to Rob Stokes and he has agreed to pursue and advocate for us the following aspects of the proposal:
Concern over loss of parking through the Newport commercial strip
Rob Stokes agreed that any move to remove the current parking for a designated bus lane would have significant impacts on the viability of the shopping strip and he would argue strongly against any proposal to remove the parking.
Traffic impacts from turning the buses across Barrenjoey Road into the car park every 5 minutes during peak periods
Rob Stokes agreed there would need to be a reasonable solution for this manoeuvre but basically couldn’t see any appropriate alternatives than turning the buses around in the car park and would wait to see the proposed solution the B-Line traffic planners proposed before he formed a position.
Reduction of the car park for a bus termination point, turning circle and layover will create impacts for the surf club, beach goers, netballers and people walking through this area
Rob Stokes conceded there would be impacts and he would advocate for the minimal impact solution i.e. bus layover on the road, minimum turning circle, no additional toilet facilities for drivers constructed and argue for an upgrade to the carpark to reduce current pedestrian conflicts etc.
Amenity impact of buses turning around in the car park
Rob Stokes suggested that this was an opportunity to improve public transport with the B-Line proposal and the Government had allocated money for ancillary work which might include improving the car park, works as proposed by the surf club etc. etc in an attempt to somewhat mitigate the amenity issue.
Concerns that improved public transport would relate to increased housing density
Rob Stokes suggested under existing planning methodology new public transport infrastructure i.e.: roads, rail etc. could determine increased housing density. However, as buses are a service with no real significant increase in permanent infrastructure investment, public bus services are not a mode of transport that is determined to make the case for increased density and hence this concern is not a real threat.
That the B-Line is extending to Newport in January without any REF or adequate public consultation on a temporary arrangement whilst B-Line planners work on a permanent solution. It was suggested the Government as a temporary solution should stop the B-Line at Mona Vale as planned whilst they determine a permanent solution for Newport in consultation with the community.
Rob Stokes agreed that he would advocate for this to occur.