Telford Bus Station redevelopment: Public consultation launched
New proposals for the redevelopment of Telford’s Bus Station have been unveiled this week.
A public consultation has been launched into the plans, which include a brand new bus station and new shops, creating a whole new look for the shopping centre along Telford’s Northfield Street.
A three-day exhibition of the plans starts today (Thursday 3 March) in the shopping centre, with members of the public invited to view and provide feedback on the proposals. The plans can also be viewed and comments submitted online.
The plans are being put forward by the owners of the shopping centre and have been developed in close partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council and bus operator Arriva Midlands & Shires.
Subject to planning consent, the new bus station would be in the same location but has been redesigned to accommodate Arriva’s latest requirements, without having any impact on existing services.
As a result, new stores could be built, meeting requirements from retailers for larger units and attracting new brands to the centre. At the same time, there is an opportunity to create a new landmark entrance to the shopping centre from Northfield Street.
The new bus station and entrance would face onto a landscaped public plaza with a potential café or food outlet as part of a new pedestrian link with the Southern Quarter and Southwater.
The plans also include a major refurbishment of the centre’s Wrekin Square, New Row and New Street. A new mall would be created to link New Street with Sherwood Street, dramatically improving access for shoppers across the town centre.
The bus station redevelopment is intended to provide new attractive facilities for bus users and for Arriva Midlands & Shires in order to encourage public transport use. A £1.3m contribution toward the cost of redeveloping the bus station itself has been secured by Telford & Wrekin Council from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.
The latest plans respond to public feedback received from previous consultations, including an overwhelming preference for any new bus station to be in the same location as the existing one together with the need for weather protection.
Consistency of service is also a key part of the proposals. Initial plans have been developed with Arriva Midlands & Shires and Telford & Wrekin Council to avoid any relocation of services and minimise any disruption during construction.
The bus station redevelopment is part of the multi-million pound masterplan that is transforming Telford Town Centre with new shops, cafés and restaurants.
Construction of the first part of the masterplan – the Southern Quarter – started earlier this year (2016). TGI Friday’s, Prezzo and Handmade Burger Company have already signed up to open restaurants here when it opens in Spring 2017. The redevelopment of the Northern Quarter, on the site of the former ASDA store, is also underway.
Guy Beaumont, Senior Development and Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros, which is leading the redevelopment, said that the plans would transform the area for bus users and shoppers alike.
“Redeveloping the bus station is a major part of our masterplan to build a better town centre - creating modern facilities for bus users alongside a more accessible, welcoming customer environment and new stores.
“We have been working closely with Telford & Wrekin Council and Arriva Midlands & Shires on our plans and are now looking forward to hearing the public’s feedback as we refine our proposals prior to planning submission.”
EXHIBITION DETAILS
The public exhibition will be held in unit 222, on Telford Shopping Centre’s Wrekin Square at the following times:
Thursday 3 March: 12 – 8pm
Friday 4 March: 8am – 17.30pm
Saturday 5 March: 10am – 4pm
PLANNING TIMETABLE
March 2016: Development of plans following public consultation
Spring 2016: Submission of plans to Telford & Wrekin Council
Summer 2016: Anticipated decision by Telford & Wrekin Council
Late 2016: Commencement of work on site (subject to planning)
