wembley-plan-app (small) , item 9. PDF 8 MB - Meetings, agendas ...

Wembley Area Action Plan - Proposed Submission Version67Transport 6Picture 6.3 Bus 1826.31 In response to the above requirements, toorbital connectivity challenges identified within theWest London Sub Regional Plan, a StrategicCorridor study has just been completed for aconsortium known as WestTrans (on behalf of allWest London Boroughs in West London) which hashighlighted specific issues relating to the BrentCross - Wembley Corridor, and the Wembley -Ealing corridor. These include congestion issuesaffecting buses serving the Wembley Hill Road/Forty Lane corridor, and reliability issues for busservices between Wembley and Ealing. The studyrecommends a number of improvements whichassist with facilitating better orbital connectivity,and improving movement for non-car modes.6.32 Significant progress towards implementingthe improvements needed to fulfil the objectives ofthe “Three Stations” strategy had been made bythe time the National Stadium opened in 2007. Therefurbishment and increase in capacity at WembleyPark station had been completed; major accessimprovements had been made to Wembley Stadiumstation through the construction of the White HorseBridge; and at Wembley Central a new passengerbridge delivered for use during major events,improved access between the ticket hall andplatforms with refurbishment at the stationcontinuing.6.33 These improvements have gone a long waytowards cementing Wembley’s position as a publictransport destination and, consequently, a locationwhere major visitor attractions can be developedin a sustainable way. Nevertheless, there continuesto be a need for improvements such as an improvedticketing hall when development takes place onsites adjacent to Wembley Stadium station. TheWembley Stadium station improvements have beensecured through the extant outline planningpermission on land surrounding Wembley StadiumStation.6.34 In the meantime, improvements to orbitalpublic transport are identified in the Core Strategyas being necessary if Wembley is to be enhancedas an accessible destination. Improvements toorbital public transport are also seen byneighbouring authorities, Barnet and Ealing, asessential to facilitate growth in suburban outerLondon. It is Brent Council’s view that such orbitalimprovements should be focused on bus servicesand, along with Park Royal Partnership and EalingCouncil, has been promoting a proposed newexpress bus service linking Wembley with ParkRoyal and Acton. Recent work undertaken byTransport for London, in association with WestLondon Boroughs and keystakeholders/agencies/partnerships, andencapsulated in the Mayor’s West Sub-RegionalTransport Plan, gives further credence to thisapproach with key links targeted for investigationbetween Ealing and Wembley and Ealing and BrentCross.6.35 There is an issue also about how far intothe new urban quarter of Wembley that busesshould penetrate, and whether they should berouted along the new Boulevard and shoppingstreet or Olympic Way given the potential conflictswith shoppers and other pedestrians.6.36 Furthermore, the availability of funding is amajor consideration when considering alternativeoptions for new public transport infrastructure. Astrategy for bus services and infrastructureenhancements is continuing to be developed tofurther develop these priorities for improvement.6.37 The council's priorities for bus service andinfrastructure improvement are shown in thefollowing table.