A Finchampstead couple were left confused after trying to use a Wokingham park and ride facility.
Sarah and Karl wrote to Wokingham Today, questioning whether the Coppid Beech park and ride, off London Road, was a white elephant.
They said: “We recently unsuccessfully attempted to use the new Coppid Beech Park and Ride service.
“It is clear to us that this service will not be a success unless the Council improves signage, communication and charging.
“As well as no buses actually stopping in the car park or at the bus shelters, there is a £4 charge for parking (with the bus fare on top), and no signage in the car park or on the bus shelters advising where to catch buses from, bus times, routes or costs.
They suggested that a free car park, with buses actually stopping at the bus shelters in the car park, and clear signage (as with the previous very successful – Winnersh park and ride service) are urgently needed.
“Having recently seen an electronic sign on the London Road saying ‘Coppid Beech Park and Ride now open’, we made our way to the new car park.
“As the car park is at the back of the Oakingham Belle Pub, not visible from London Road and with no signs to the car park from London Road, it was not that easy to find.
“We eventually found a huge 250 space car park which was totally empty.
“We saw signs advising how to pay for parking, bus shelters but no signs advising of bus times, costs or routes on the bus shelters or anywhere else.”
The couple questioned why, despite there being a bus stop in the park and ride car park, no buses actually stop there.
“We recently saw an article saying Wokingham Council are trialling the use of a new park and ride with the caption ‘use it or lose it’ it.
“A cynical person might think the council doesn’t actually want this service to be used, so it can cancel it due to lack of demand.”
Wokingham Today put the concerns to Wokingham Borough Council.
In response, Chris Easton, assistant director highways and transport, said:”Coppid Beech Park and Ride was originally approved as part of the active travel plan for the north and south Wokingham major developments.
“The developers provided the land and some money for the car park, with additional funding provided through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Local Growth Fund by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
“The business case for the site, approved by the LEP in March 2020, indicated that it would be a successful park and ride that would serve both Bracknell and Wokingham town centres.”
He added that the Covid pandemic came while the site was being built, and has had a major impact on people’s travel behaviour, and also had a significant impact on the use of park and ride services across the country.
“The bus industry is still recovering, and we are continually working in partnership with local bus operators to ensure bus services remain viable.
“Reading Buses operate the Lion service which passes near the park and ride site every 20 minutes.
“We have discussed with them the option of having the buses stop in the park and ride itself. Unfortunately, it would take additional time to enter the site, which would mean that the timetable would need to change, and we would end up with a less frequent service and longer journey times for passengers along the route.”
He confirmed that parking is £4 for up to 24 hours, and for shorter stays of up to four hours it is £1.50.
The site includes 18 parking bays with electric chargers.
“For anyone wanting to use the bus to access Reading, Wokingham or Bracknell, bus travel is capped at £2 per journey and the Lion 4/X4 is available from London Road.”
Reading Buses also offers a discounted group ticket when up to five people travel together (a maximum three adults).
He said; “We will be improving the signs at the site for those parking, and those who have parked and wish to use the buses on London Road.
“In the longer term, we will be looking at an express bus service between Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell, calling at Coppid Beech Park and Ride, however, this is subject to funding from the Department for Transport.”
