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August 2006 - Flintshire CC introduce the new X9 service running between Chester and Mold, stops including Queensferry Asda, Broughton Airbus, Broughton Retail Park, all stops Chester Business Park and Grosvenor Nuffield Hospital.

June 2004 - The Association for Commuter Transport (ACT) hold their national AGM and Conference on the Business Park attended by over 100 delegates from all over the UK.

February 2004 - Cheshire CC complete the dual carriagewaying of the section of the A483 (Wrexham Road) between the A55 and Park and Ride roundabouts. The work, funded jointly by private money, Cheshire CC and NWDA, includes cycle paths, new pavements and traffic lighting, and has substantially reduced peak hour traffic congestion in and out of Chester City centre and the Business Park.

September 2003 - With effect from 1 September the Business Park has agreed with First bus company to pump prime the number 3 bus route extension from Chester Bus Station to the Business Park.The bus will do its normal journey from Rivacre/Ellesmere Port to Chester Bus Station but 3 morning journeys will express from there to Chester Business Park, the services scheduled to arrive at 07.40, 08.05 and 08.40. The return journeys are scheduled to leave the Park at 17.20, 17.45 and 18.20.

September 2003 - A Business Park wide car share scheme will be launched from 1st September. Full details are on our website at www.chesterbusinesspark.com and brochures will also be distributed. The scheme is intended to complement the existing successful schemes at M&S and MBNA and also give access to the people on the Park who do not have access to a car share scheme. If you have any queries please telephone me or e-mail carshare@chesterbusinesspark.com.

September 2003 - With effect from 31st August 2003 the Arriva Route 1 bus service will run from Wrexham Bus Station via Chester Bus Station to Chester Railway Station to run every 10 minutes throughout the day and every hour in the evening and Sundays.

August 2003 - Chester Business Park funds the construction of two pedestrian refuges in the single carriageway section of Heronsway. The refuges provide significant improvements in road safety for pedestrians as well as cyclists and cars.

January 2003 - The Highways Agency commence their 22 week work programme to construct the A483/A55 eastbound slip road. Completed on schedule June 2003.

October 2002 - the Highways Agency confirm their commitment to funding the proposed A483/A55 east bound slip road during the current financial year.

October 2002 - Cheshire Police take delivery of their Speed Alert Trailer funded by contributions from Marks and Spencer Financial Services, MBNA Europe Bank, Cheshire County Council and Chester Business Park Management Company. The Trailer forms part of a strategy aimed at educating road users on excessive speeding.

Summer 2002 - Smartways completes its 2002 Travel Survey. Compared to the 1998 Survey a significant modal shift is confirmed in the way we commute to the Park. The main results show that between 1998 and 2002:-

  • Single occupancy vehicle travel fell from 85% to 72%
  • Car sharing rose from 5% to 12%
  • There was a 15% increase in bus usage
  • There was a 32% increase in people walking or cycling

Summer 2002 - MBNA Europe Bank completely re-vamp and re-launch their Clearways programme aimed at substantially reducing single occupancy vehicle travel to their site.

April 2002 - The 80 bus service is re-routed through Chester City centre and suburbs effectively making it the Park's first cross town bus service.

February 2002 - Arriva re-name the 1/1b Chester - Wrexham service as the 1/1a with virtually all timetabled buses on this route now coming through the Park.

October 2001 - 'Red rugs' and emboldened 30 mph signage installed at Park entrances to reinforce speed limit

Summer 2001 - To improve pedestrian safety between their buildings on Heronsway in the centre of the Park MBNA commission road calming measures incorporating 3 graduated speed humps.

December 2000 All six existing bus shelters have been replaced with fully enclosed bus shelters to improve protection from the adverse weather that seems to be with us more frequently these days. Two new stops are to be sited shortly by the Office Village and the entrance to Lakeside. The new shelters have been funded by Cheshire County Council, Smartways and Chester Business Park Management Company.

'October 2000 - Cheshire County Council publish their Local Transport Plan for the period 2001/02 - 2005/06.
 
It includes the statement " A section of the route from the junction of the A55 to the existing Wrexham Road Park & Ride is being considered for a separate public/private funding partnership. This partnership includes Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council, the Highways Agency, the North West Development Agency and private partners based on Chester Business Park".
 
The statement represents a significant move forward in both investigating the need for infrastructural improvement but as importantly the establishment of the political support for it.'

September 2000 Arriva have introduced a new bus service, the X44/45. The service runs from Chester Railway Station to Mold via Chester Business Park. This is the fourth bus service servicing the Park

July 2000 Chester Business Park Travel Plan published.

May 2000 The initiative is re-branded ‘Smartways’ as a result of a competition to provide the Park’s travel initiative with its own identity.

May 2000 Third newsletter published.

January 2000 Major carriageway renewal at the A55/A483 junction causes chaos but highlights need to review travel to work. Actions have included shift pattern changes by the major occupiers without compromise to their businesses and which have produced marked changes in traffic flows. Changes retained after completion of road works and remain an on-going benefit to travel to/from the Park.

September 1999 Completion of the new off road Wrexham road cycle path and bus lane from the Overleigh roundabout to the Park entrance. The scheme included a Toucan crossing on Wrexham Road.

September 1999 Cheshire County Highways formally white line 2 lanes outbound past the Posthouse hotel to the A55 to improve lane discipline and traffic flow during the evening rush-hour.

September 1999 Completion of the Wrexham Road Park and Ride. Not a direct benefit to the Park but it does take some of the Chester bound traffic off the Wrexham Road thus helping reduce congestion and improving traffic flow from the A55.

September 1999 Introduction of X55 bus service by Arriva from Mold to Chester Railway Station via the Park. This is the third bus service servicing the Park.

June 1999 Second Business Park Bike Clinic.

June 1999 Introduction by Cheshire County Council of the ‘80’ bus service from Elton to Chester Business Park.

June 1999 Second newsletter published.

June 1998 First Business Park Bike Clinic.

Spring 1998 Parkwide survey of staff commuting habits to enable formulation of strategy.

Spring 1998 First newsletter published.

1998 Marks and Spencer Financial Services introduce their car share scheme.

1995 MBNA International Bank Ltd introduces their car share scheme branded ‘Clearways’.

   
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