Work is set to begin on a new £650,000 bus station in Wellington to create a showpiece “transport hub,” providing a better and easier link with the town’s rail station.
Telford & Wrekin Borough Council says the project will deliver a high tech bus station as well as improving access to Wellington railway station. It will be developed on the site of the Parade car park, behind the town’s main shopping street, starting in the next few weeks.
The scheme includes a new car park on Victoria Road – the site of the current bus station – a taxi rank for the bus and train station, drop-off points for buses, installation of CCTV system and plans for a link bridge to be built between the bus station and rail station.
The new station itself will also be equipped to handle future electronic display transport information as part of council plans for real time information.
The project is part of a transport plan aiming to boost both rail and bus usage and it is hoped to be completed in time for town’s carnival in June.
Councillor Miles Hosken, cabinet member for Environment, said: “It’s great news for Wellington that this scheme is now going ahead and, so soon after our £8 million plans for the Civic Quarter, is another sign that Wellington’s regeneration is really moving ahead.
“The new bus station will create the borough’s first fully integrated transport hub and will make it far easier for everyone to use. This is something that many people in Wellington have been asking for a long time and will make travelling by public transport into and from Wellington easier.”
Richard Lakin, spokesman for London Midlands, said: “We welcome and look forward to working with the council and partnership agencies.”
During the 16 weeks of building work, the Parade car park will be shut but directions to alternative town parking will be provided. The council will also increase parking enforcement patrols in Wellington centre during this period.
Gary Davies, Wellington town councillor, said: “I am still extremely concerned at the loss of car parking spaces on the move of the bus station. We are losing 40 odd spaces. I can’t understand why the traders are not up in arms on this matter.”