Countdown to work starting on new bus station

The countdown to work starting on Plymouth’s new bus station is well and truly underway with final designs tweaks being submitted.

The project team is submitting a planning condition amendment as a result of improvements to the design and look of the site.

The amendments include a new pedestrian ramp to make it easier for people with disabilities and parents with prams to get between the car park and Cornwall Street following feedback from the City Centre Company. Cladding will be put on the wall surrounding the entire site rather than just along part of it.

Further amendments are also being made to the coach ramp following consultation with National Express to make it easier for coaches to manoeuvre.

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance and Assets and city centre champion said: “We have pledged to keep the existing car park open in the run up to Christmas, but once it is over the contractors will be hitting the ground running from January 4.

“We are keen to keep those who may be affected by the works as much information as possible ahead of work starting.”

The new coach station will have seven coach stands to serve National Express and Megabus. Features include real time passenger information systems, blue badge holder drop-off bay, customer help points, ticket machines, toilets, cycle stands, CCTV and ornamental lighting.

The old Lloyds Bank building in Armada Way will be transformed into an indoor ticket office and waiting room, with toilets, comfy seating, ‘real time’ information screens, ticket office and a food and drink concession.

There will also be a car park with blue badge holder bays amd drop off and pick up taxi/private hire bays.

Contractors South West Highways are this week sending out letters to businesses around the site to give them details of the work and talk through logistics about access and bin collections. They have submitted a request for a temporary Traffic Regulation Order which, if approved, will result in the entire site being closed while the work takes place.

They have also taken a lease out on the former Ritzy nightclub on Mayflower Street as a site office and stakeholder drop in.

Project Manager Adrian Perry from South West Highways added: “It is a city centre site and we are anxious to make sure that our neighbours – both business and residents – do not experience too much inconvenience while we carry out the work. We will minimise the disruption caused by closing the site by working with businesses on granting essential access, deliveries and bin collections.

The project has seen additional costs and fees since the business case was set out last year, some of these costs and a delegated decision has been signed this week authorising the extra spend of £557,000.

The new coach station will replace the outdated one at Bretonside, which is being redeveloped as part of a major investment package proposed by British Land, the owner of Drake Circus and the UK’s largest listed retail landlord.