Transport
55. In our previous inquiries on the Dome, we highlighted
the importance of transport infrastructure and policy to the project's
success.[142]
We emphasised that visitors to the Dome should not place more
pressure on the already overloaded road networks of Greenwich
and south-east London and that manageable and deliverable transport
options were imperative if the Dome was to succeed with the forecast
number of visitors.[143]
56. The transport policy was designed to reduce or
eliminate use by the Dome's visitors of private cars. Ms Page
explained how the Government, local authority and community groups
had been involved in transport decisions.[144]
The transport strategy that emerged from those decisions reflected
the project's objectives of regeneration and environmental sustainability.
57. The Jubilee Line Extension [JLE] was central
to that transport policy and a focus of much of this Committee's
previous scrutiny. After more delays and uncertainties than we
care to remember, the JLE was finally fully opened days before
the Millennium Dome opened to the public, and is currently used
by almost 60 per cent of the Dome's visitors.[145]
However, the JLE has experienced technical problems, which have
occasionally required the contingency bus fleet to be used.[146]
58. Ninety-seven per cent of the Dome's visitors
arrive by public transport and that has been seen as an endorsement
of the Dome's transport strategy.[147]
River services have not been used as extensively as forecast,[148]
carrying only 6 per cent of visitors to the Dome.[149]
However, it was anticipated that river services would prove particularly
sensitive to weather conditions.[150]
Coaches are the principal mode of transport for school parties
and groups, and affordable travel packages have been developed
by coach companies.[151]
Four per cent of visitors have used the bus to reach the Dome.[152]
The Millennium Transit system has been used in line with forecasts,
but has also suffered technical problems.[153]
Twenty-five per cent of visitors have used rail for the first
part of their journey to the Dome[154]
and that popularity is due in part to the travel packages developed
by rail operators.[155]
The car-free policy has been successful, with only an estimated
15 per cent of visitors using the car for any part of their journey.[156]
Few people arrive at the Dome in cars and those who do are directed
to the park-and-ride sites,[157]
which have not been used as much as anticipated.[158]
59. Greenwich Council was pleased with the success
of the transport strategy. We asked the Council whether that success
was simply a result of the fact that visitor numbers have been
below those forecast. The Council did not think that that was
the case, arguing that the transport infrastructure was "working
well within capacity".[159]
Some of the other problems that have emerged in the Dome's operation
might suggest that too much effort was devoted by this Committee
and others to transport. We do not believe such a conclusion is
justified. The fact that the Jubilee Line Extension opened
only just in time is a demonstration of the validity of our concerns
about transport. Furthermore, the obduracy of London Transport
until very late in the day in rejecting our proposals for a scheduled
bus route was unjustified. We are concerned that even now visitor
numbers may be affected adversely by London Transport's failure
to direct visitors adequately to the Dome from its stations.
142 HC (1997-98) 340-I, paras 34-47; HC (1997-98) 818-I,
paras 22-31; HC (1998-99) 21-I, paras 3-31; HC (1999-2000) 24-I,
paras 5-20. Back
143 HC
(1997-98) 340-II, p 130; HC (1997-98) 818-II, p 122. Back
144 Q
45 Back
145 Evidence,
pp 53-54, 211. Back
146 Ibid. Back
147 Evidence,
pp 69, 211. Back
148 Evidence,
p 211. Back
149 Evidence,
p 54. Back
150 Evidence,
p 211. Back
151 Evidence,
pp 55-56. Back
152 Evidence,
p 53. Back
153 Evidence,
p 211. Back
154 Evidence,
p 54. Back
155 Evidence,
pp 55-57. Back
156 Evidence,
p 211. Back
157 Evidence,
p 54. Back
158 Ibid. Back
159 Q
251; Evidence, pp 69, 53-54. Back
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