Ash bus stop improvements

Bus stop improvements

A programme of improvements is planned for five bus stops on the A323 Ash Street and Ash Church Road, Ash. The bus stops are located between the Jet petrol station and St Peters church. The work aims to improve accessibility for passengers, provide better spaces to wait with real time journey information and enhance green space around some of the bus stops.  

We wrote to residents living near the bus stops in March 2024 and shared our proposals. Since our initial letter to residents, there have been some minor changes to some of the planned improvements. The planned improvements for each bus stop are outlined on the following pages. 

Construction programme 

The improvements will be delivered in phases. The initial phase at the westbound bus stop by St Peters Church has been completed with power supply and real time passenger information (RTPI) delivered and working.

Work at the Ash Grange School bus stop is progressing as planned with the footpath and hard landscaping works expected to be complete by Tuesday 11 November. Lining works at the Ash Grange and St Peters bus stops is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday 13 November. 

We will move on to the two police station bus stops next. Works will start on Tuesday 11 November and are expected to continue until 28 November. 

Works will then pause for the Christmas period to minimise disruption with the library bus stop works scheduled to begin the week commencing 5 January.

The dates for the bus stop the Jet petrol station are yet to be confirmed. Please sign up for updates to be kept up to date. 

Bus stop one near Jet petrol station 

• New bus shelter relocated with real time travel information 

• Relocating parking bays from Co-op to the left of the new bus shelter 

• Real time passenger information at bus shelter 

• Repositioned bus cages and increased pedestrian space 

Please note that the new design has been assessed to ensure oil tankers are still able to turn into the petrol station.

Bus stop two and three near Police Station

Adjacent Tumber Close eastbound 

• New bus shelter with solid back panel
• Real time passenger information 
• Bus stop road markings to be installed 
• Increased pedestrian space

Opposite Tumber Close westbound

• New bus shelter to be brought forward and area behind returned to grass 
• Real time passenger information
• Potential tree planting in grassed area
• Bus stop road markings to be installed

Bus stop four – St Peter’s Church

• Bus stop road markings to be installed 
• Real time passenger information added to existing bus flag

Bus stop five – Ash Grange school

• Bus lay-by to be removed and footpath extended to increase pedestrian space 
   and improve safety for children entering and exiting school
• Installation of new bus shelter with real time passenger information and 
   internal lighting
• New bus shelter to be fully glazed top panels at the rear and half end panels, 
   seats with arm rests and a no smoking sign
• Timber bollards to complement the bus shelter and verge markers to unify the scheme
• Yellow pencil bollards mark both ends of the scheme, highlighting a school zone
• Landscaping verge by Church View to allow for potential tree planting and wildflowers, replace railings with steel loops and improving pedestrian walking routes
• Repairs to two grass verges opposite the school and around the bend, with new timber verge markers installed to match existing
• Repairs to pedestrian footpath outside the school
• Addition of double yellow lines

Frequently asked questions

Why do the bus stops in Ash need improving?

We are making improvements to the bus stops in Ash in line with Surrey County Council's Local Transport Plan (LTP4) which aims to transform the transport network in Surrey from 2022 to 2032 and beyond. This includes the installation of upgraded bus shelters with seating and real time passenger information showing live bus arrival times.

One of the key aspects of LTP4 is to promote sustainable and active travel, which includes changes to road infrastructure and the prioritisation of pedestrians, wheeling and riding and public transport use and delivering safety improvements.

Why are you removing the bus layby outside of Ash Grange school?

We are removing the layby outside of Ash Grange school to create a safer environment for children, pedestrians and public transport users.

The presence of the bus layby results in a narrower pavement affecting those walking and scooting to school. Blocking of the bus stop and examples of dangerous vehicle manoeuvres, parking on the bend and engine idling have been observed directly outside the school next to where children are walking, scooting and waiting. The layby also creates width to the road, which encourages higher vehicle speeds.

The layby has been identified as a source of congestion with parked vehicles blocking access to the bus cage and shelter. This forces passengers boarding and alighting the bus to step between parked cars into the road, while preventing mobility and push chair access entirely.

Removal of the layby will provide a wider footway in front of the school to make it easier and safer for those walking or scooting to the school or on route to the church and museum. It will also make it easier for buses to position alongside the kerb with an improved bus shelter and real time passenger information.

Can the bus stop outside Ash Grange school be moved nearer to the church?

No, the bus stop cannot be moved further down the road as the foot path is narrow and not suitable for the bus stop. The road also isn’t wide enough for us to build out from the pavement to create more space. Moving the bus stop on its own would not deliver the additional public realm improvements.

Where can parents park for school drop-off and pick-up?

With the removal of the layby, we would encourage parents and carers that drive to school, to park in the wider local street network and walk the last part of the journey.

We would encourage those who are able to travel on foot, by bike, scooter, bus or public transport to make the journey this way.

Where will members of the public with accessibility needs park if the layby is removed?

Parking regulations for blue badge holders who display their badge will remain unaffected. Visitors to either of the churches with accessibility needs can continue to park in the two church car parks. 

School students with specific accessibility needs should discuss this with the school as part of their individual health care plan.