Business park extends shuttle bus service

A WARRINGTON business park has extended its commuter shuttle bus service in a bid to create better transport links for firms and their employees.
The Lingley Mere Development Company – a joint venture between Muse Developments and United Utilities (UU) – has launched a three-month trial to assess the viability of the new Network Warrington bus service.
Under the pilot scheme, the bus route has been extended to include nearby residential hubs, opening up the service to an increased number of local commuters who live in Great Sankey.
It also includes a new timetable to link in with inner city services from Warrington Bank Quay railway station, Sankey railway station and Warrington Interchange.
Lingley Mere estates manager Alan Robinson said: “The enhanced shuttle bus service is part of a wide range of initiatives that are designed to encourage commuters to leave their car at home, while promoting sustainable travel.
“As part of the trial, we have surveyed more than 100 commuters about the changes. So far, there has been extremely positive feedback from regular users on the decision to cut commuting time, by diverting the route away from Dawson House.
“The principal aim of the changes is to enable people to get from the site to Warrington’s commuter points at key times. Initial responses suggest that this is very much the case.”
In June, the business park held the first in a series of “Bike to Work” events to coincide with National Bike to Work Week This followed a “Walk to Work” promotions in May.
The idea was to encourage the 350 employees who live within two miles of the park to consider walking to work through organised walks around Warrington and a brand new online walking journey planner.
Wes Erlam, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments – the urban and regeneration development company – commented: “Green travel remains a core focus for the business park and we continue to invest in innovative ways to encourage adoption.
“The emphasis at Lingley Mere is to create a thriving business park that is very much open for business – both in terms of the development opportunities available to growing businesses, but also the comprehensive transport links that connect the park with rail, bus and motorway networks across the region, including Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Crewe.”