Alternative Layouts for Station Avenue

Alternative Layouts for Station Avenue

We’ve listened to early feedback about concerns over losing separate bus stops and lanes on Station Avenue and the potential impact on traffic. In response, we’ve begun to explore a number of alternative possibilities, outlined below. These are initial ideas only - further work is needed to confirm whether they can be delivered safely and effectively. 

After this engagement period, we’ll review all feedback and, if appropriate, carry out more detailed work on these ideas to assess feasibility. 

Why are full bus laybys not included? 

Full bus laybys have not been presented because they are generally discouraged under Surrey County Council’s Healthy Streets policy, which states: 

“Bus laybys should not be used. They are an inefficient use of space and may reduce the ease of buses re-joining the main carriageway. They should only be used where stationary buses would cause a significant safety problem, which does not include queuing traffic.” 

This guidance reflects our ambition to prioritise walking and public transport. Instead, we’ve focused on ideas that include half-width laybys. 

Alternative Idea 1 - Half-Width Layby (South Side Only)

One idea would be to provide a half-width bus layby on the south side of Station Avenue. This would allow westbound vehicles to overtake stationary buses but does not include a layby for buses on the north side.  

Key considerations: 

• Provides limited space for public realm improvements (e.g., greenery, seating, rain gardens). 

• Reduces overall benefits of the scheme. 

• Requires further technical assessment. 

Alternative Idea 2 - Half-Width Laybys on Both Sides 

Another idea would be to provide half-width bus laybys on both sides of Station Avenue.  

Key considerations: 

• Allows cars to pass stationary buses. 

• No space for a taxi rank outside the station  

• Very limited space for public realm improvements, making it unlikely to secure funding or approval. 

• Requires further technical assessment. 

Have Your Say 

We’re open to exploring alternatives based on your feedback. Please share your thoughts in the feedback survey - question 4b specifically asks about bus stops and shelters, and there’s space for comments. Please click here to complete the feedback survey.  

Other things we are doing 

We have arranged a survey of the bus stop to collect information on the buses using the bus stops on Station Avenue throughout the day. This includes information on how frequently buses are stopping, and how long buses are stopping for. We will use this information to inform the future designs. 

We will engage with bus operators to discuss how they currently operate, and whether there are any improvements or alternative arrangements we can work on to reduce the impact that they will have on traffic on Station Avenue. Bus services using the bus stops on Station Avenue include: 

• Route 400 (East Grinstead – Caterham): 2 services per hour 

• Route 409 (East Grinstead – Selsdon / South Croydon): 1 service per hour 

• Route 411 (Reigate – Selsdon / South Croydon): 0.5 to 1 service per hour 

• Route 611 (Reigate – Oxted): 1 service per day 

• Route 658 (Redhill – Warlingham / Reigate): 1 service per day 

 Based on Transport for London (TfL) data, average bus dwell times are approximately 15 seconds. With an estimated frequency of 4- 5 buses per hour in each direction, traffic would be held briefly (i.e. 15 seconds) every 12 - 15 minutes on average. This level of delay is not considered significant for a town centre and station interchange area and is unlikely to result in sustained congestion.  

It is noted that, certain bus services are held at these bus stops for up to 6 minutes according to their timetables, and this is something we need to consider under these proposals.