New transportation hub opens in Cheltenham
The second phase of the new Arle Court Transportation Hub, a state-of-the-art park and ride facility in Cheltenham, has been completed. The site now features a brand new multi-storey parking garage and bus terminal, which opened to the public on July 29, 2024, along with various other upgraded services and amenities.
Architects and engineers at global, multidisciplinary design firm BDP have completed Phase 2 of the project in collaboration with contractor Kier Construction on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council. The £33 million project is a significant achievement in the council's ongoing efforts to provide sustainable transportation options in the county. It is a key component of the current Gloucestershire Local Transportation Plan 2020-2041 and its Climate Change Strategy. The project has been funded by the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), managed by Homes England, and the county council.
Arle Court Transportation Hub will enhance the travel experience for residents and visitors in and around the western Cheltenham area, as well as those arriving from the M5 via long-distance coach travel, by offering upgraded park and ride facilities that are convenient and comfortable. The project is also designed to provide improved sustainable travel options and better connectivity to local active transportation, which will in turn reduce congestion, lower CO2 emissions, and enhance air quality in the region.
“The Arle Court Transportation Hub provides the infrastructure and facilities required to integrate various sustainable transportation options and significantly improve the customer experience. The goal of the project is to allow local residents to utilize sustainable modes of transportation, such as cycling, scooting, or walking, to travel in and out of Cheltenham with excellent travel connections to help them reach their final destination. This approach supports the 15-minute city concept, which aims to offer choice and enhance people's quality of life.
The new hub includes an expanded bus terminal to facilitate reliable bus services connecting Gloucester and Cheltenham hospitals and centers, making public transportation a more convenient option for those using the enhanced park and ride facility. It also provides a variety of new and improved passenger and active transportation amenities, including indoor and outdoor waiting areas, real-time information screens, a customer service desk, washrooms, secure bicycle lockers, bicycle racks, bicycle maintenance tools, and shower changing facilities.
The entire site will offer nearly 1,000 parking spaces, including 860 spaces in the new multi-storey parking garage. The transportation hub is also home to the largest contactless payment EV charging public transportation hub in the UK, with 100 x 7kW EV commissioned charging points installed in partnership with Connected Kerb, with a future potential capacity of up to 266.
The third and final phase of the project began in late July 2024 and is scheduled to be finished by November 2024. This phase will add additional surface parking spaces to the existing western parking lot, dedicated coach and camper/van parking, and further enhance the transportation hub's sustainability features, including the installation of four rapid EV charging points.
The completion of Phase 2 of the Arle Court Transportation Hub is a significant milestone in our mission to provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sustainable travel in Gloucestershire. The new facilities will not only make public transportation and sustainable travel options more accessible but also play a vital role in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in Cheltenham and Gloucester.
BDP's approach has focused on the passenger experience and has delivered a design that creates seamless connections between transportation options and a comfortable passenger experience. The design was developed to reduce the embodied carbon of the building by 20%, with facilities that are net zero carbon in operation, thanks to the installation of solar PV panels designed to offset the energy requirements as demand for electric vehicle charging increases.
This iconic new building features a striking bronze, aluminum facade with 'twists' in the design to create a wave effect along its length. The hub is surrounded by landscaped green areas, including new trees and planting to enhance biodiversity.