ACTIVE Card holders should be allowed to travel for free on the town hopper bus to help reduce parking problems at Springfield following the opening of the new gym, a backbencher has said.
Deputy Rob Ward has lodged a proposition calling for a trial of the scheme until at least 31 December.
He hopes that the move will help gym-goers who have complained about a shortage of parking spaces at Springfield after sports facilities were moved there from Fort Regent.
If the Deputy’s proposition is passed, LibertyBus would be required, with immediate effect, to provide free travel to Active Card holders on the hopper bus, which runs on a loop around town.
‘This initial period of around seven months will give some time for alternative travel plans to be created and promoted,’ said Deputy Ward, whose proposition is due to be debated next month.
‘This may mean an extension or permanent provision of this free facility. This can be decided following an analysis of its impact.’
The closure of Fort Regent gym is part of the long-term plans to move all sports facilities out of the leisure centre ahead of a redevelopment programme.
Government plans to reduce the number of clubs in Fort Regent to five by next year have been controversial – with a campaign group being set up to stop block the move.
The ‘Friends of Fort Regent’ group – set up in March by Roy Travert – has ‘strongly urged’ States Members to ‘consider the immense value that these facilities bring to the local community and keep the sports facilities open’.
