Category: Uncategorised

Winter Wonderland until 1 January 2024

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is running until Monday 1 January 2024.

Coaches bringing groups to Winter Wonderland have the following facilities available:

Set down and pick up only locations:

Coaches should only use Park Lane southbound for setting down and picking up passengers:

  • 20-minute coach bay located just north of North Row – One space;
  • Bus stand Z2, just north of Woods Mews (this is only for the duration of Winter Wonderland) – One space;
  • Coach set down and pick up point just south of Upper Brook Street – One space;
  • Coach set down and pick up point next to the Dorchester Hotel – Three spaces, available 20:00 to 07:00 and 10:00 to 16:00 daily.

Parking

Parking is available at the following locations:

  • Park Lane southbound: south Upper Grosvenor Street – Two spaces, maximum stay one hour;
  • Park Lane southbound: ahead of bus stop B at the Hilton Hotel – One space, maximum stay one hour;
  • Park Lane northbound: to the rear of Apsley House – Two spaces, maximum stay one hour;
  • Park Lane northbound: alongside car park retaining wall – four spaces, maximum stay two hours. However, no boarding or alighting is permissible (or possible) at this location.

You can download an A4 version of the map.

If you require any further information please contact the TfL Coach Driver’s helpline on 0845 604 0770 or visit their webpage www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/coach-drivers

CoachFest – Reflections on a new Trade Show

Following the sad cancellation of the UK Coach & Bus UK 2023 Show, for very understandable reasons, there was a gap in the calendar for networking opportunities for the coach sector, which tends to thrive at these sorts of events. Enter Temsa and Ilesbus who, in just over 4 weeks, managed to organise a gathering at Temsa’s UK base in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire named CoachFest 2023 on 23 and 24 August. The UKCOA together with the CPT and RHA were all present, together with many suppliers from the industry.

So, what was it like? Well for a start it was very informal. The footprint was much smaller than other trade shows, but did that matter? We were all much closer together and the layout (in the shape of an ‘S’) meant that you got to see those visiting far more often than you might at a bigger show, so if you were speaking to someone else there was still an opportunity to catch others later.

The informality also generated a more relaxed style, which I think is what many coach operators are looking for. Many of them go to these events with a different expectation from the larger bus and coach operators in what they want to achieve. They want to see what the new products are; what is happening that may have an impact on how they run their business, but most importantly to catch up with their friends and colleagues who, like them have been involved in running coaches for many years. It was fortunate that the weather was generally good, as there were a number of vehicles for sale plus a bar and a food trailer (not forgetting the ice cream van) all located outside.

There were times, especially later on in the day, that the undercover area was sparsely populated, but that was when the operators were networking over a drink. However, that did not seem to matter for it gave those running the trade stands time to catch up too; something that we are not normally able to do.

The other issue that struck me that it was just a coach show and didn’t pretend to be anything else. At most, if not all, the trade stands there was something that was of relevance to the medium sized and smaller coach operator and it felt very much like it was their show.

The timing was interesting; hosting it just before the August bank holiday could have been challenging for many to attend, but as some of the activity was outdoors you need to pick a time when you are more likely to have good weather. Many operators will have already been away and returned from their annual holidays to give themselves a week or so to prepare for the start of the new school term. And forget post Easter to mid-July; this time period is the busiest for coach operators and simply you would not get the footfall. So, taking all of that into account it was not a bad time to schedule it.

If Temsa and Ilesbus do repeat the format in 2024, more advance notice may well push the numbers of attendees up (it seemed light on the second day) and I for one would definitely encourage all coach operators to come. It complements rather than competes with other trade shows and I believe there is a place for this type of format going forward. Well done to all those who put it on in a very short space of time.

Peter Bradley
Managing Director
UK Coach Operators Association

A40 HS2 Works: Monday 21 August to mid-Nov 2023

HS2 will be undertaking works on a gas main (as part of the wider project) passing under the A40 between Gypsy Corner (North Acton) and Hanger Lane.

Woks will commence on Monday 21 August and continue until mid-November 2023 and will result in a contraflow of one of the eastbound lanes and an overall reduction of the road to two lanes in each direction.

Summary of dates 

Programme Phase Start date End date
Phase 1-Civil Works 21/08 11/09
Phase 2-Final Contra-flow Opening 12/09 13/09
Phase 3-Gas diversion works, contra-flow in operation 14/09 26/10
Phase 4-Civil Works 27/10 17/11

Details of the Works

21 August to 11 September 2023 – contraflow build

  • Lane three closures in each direction
  • Some overnight (22:00 to 05:00) works closing lanes 2 & 3 in each direction

Night: 22:00 12 September to 05:00 13 September 2033 – overnight eastbound diversion

Eastbound A40 will be closed under Hanger Lane. The diversion route will be ‘over the top’ at Hager lane before re-joining the eastbound carriageway – diversion shown in yellow below.

13 September to 26 October 2023

  • Two lanes in each direction, with lane 2 eastbound contraflow
    • Please note: This eastbound contraflow lane must not be used by large vehicles (2m width restriction in place).
  • Lane 2 in each direction will be narrow
  • Recovery will be in place 24 hours
  • The Mansfield Road turnback/U-turn facility will be removed for traffic but the pedestrian facility will remain
  • A 20mph speed limit will be in force

27 October to 17 November 2023

  • Return to normal operations

TfL have requested that A312 The Parkway and the M4/A4 corridor are kept clear of planned works during this time.

Further Information

Copy of letter sent to local residents

 

Coach Parking in Durham City

A new coach drop-off and pick up point has recently opened in Durham City, replacing the former site at Freeman’s Place.

Coach drop-off and pick-ups are now provided at Framwelgate Waterside (DH1 5TA). From Framwelgate Waterside passengers can either walk up to the city centre, or catch the Durham Cathedral Bus, which operates from the bus stop adjacent the coach drop-off point (https://bit.ly/45wseYZ). Durham County Council have also produced a Coach Drop-off point wayfinding map (https://bit.ly/3E5ujik).

Once passengers have been dropped off, coach parking is located at the Belmont Park and Ride site (DH1 1SR), on the A690, approximately 300m east of Junction 62 of the A1 and just 10 minutes from Durham City centre. 30 spaces have been provided; parking is free and coach drivers have access to toilets and facilities for cleaning coaches. The fuel station, which has a ‘Costa’ facility, is approximately 100m east of the coach park, on the A690. Coach drivers also have free travel in and out of Durham City centre from the Belmont Park and Ride site on the Durham City Park and Ride service (07:00 to 19:00, Mondays to Saturdays).