The survey results show an increased willingness to walk both to the town from home and to the town from the railway station as a result of enhancement of security on an area wide basis in the town centre and at the railway station. There is also evidence of a bandwagon or critical mass effect whereby the larger numbers of new users later in the evening and on Sundays are providing additional security and surveillance in previously quiet periods in the town centre. This process has also been encouraged by good town centre management, the encouragement of later and longer opening hours, the encouragement of family pubs, cinemas and safe high quality urban design. Retail trade is up. There is also an increased willingness to travel by rail, especially later in the evening.
Fare revenue is up.
The environment around the bus station is seen as isolated and dangerous and many people are reluctant to continue their train journey by bus or to use the bus, preferring to use cars, taxis or be met. There are also difficulties related to the walk from home to the bus stop and this often results in driving to the local station, or all the way rather than use buses. Others who do not have this choice visit the town less often than they would like to. The results also show that access to cars was the most significant explanation for differences between the samples. Respondents with access to cars were less likely to visit the town centre, but also to be less concerned about personal security when they did visit.