New Hanley bus station is finally ready to roll
PASSENGERS will be boarding buses at the city's new £15 million station by the end of the month.
The bus station in Hanley will open for the first time on March 26 after months of delays surrounding the much-awaited launch date.
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Hanley's new bus station during the construction phase.
And residents will be given a preview of the facility on the morning of March 23, with disabled users offered a tour two days later.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed its highways workers will be working overnight ahead of the official opening to prepare the city centre's road network. Amendments to accommodate the new station and widespread public realm have involved changes to one way streets, bus stops and traffic flow.
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Council leader Mohammed Pervez, right, says the new facility will help kick-start a transition for the whole of the Potteries.
He said: "The opening of this bus station marks the start of a journey to transform our city centre and the whole city.
"Even during these economically challenging times we are working very hard to create the right conditions for jobs and growth.
"For too long our people raised concerns about the state of the old bus station and we have listened."
The new facility, located opposite the old station on the site of the former outdoor John Street car park, will boast 22 waiting bays for buses – nine fewer than its predecessor.
Additional spaces will be set up on Hinde Street. The authority has argued the decision was made to help maximise city centre land, with passengers assured they will notice no change in the quality of service.
The new station will also boast waiting facilities, an information office, touch-screen bus journey planners, a convenience store and toilets.
A Spar shop will also incorporate a GT News and a cafe. Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transformation, said: "This new bus station is a wonderful step forward. Along with the improvements in the city centre's public realm, shoppers and other visitors will see a real difference."
Up to 120 buses are expected to travel through the station every hour.
The council had initially hoped to cut the ribbon at the station last Autumn with the opening then delayed until January. The council claims the project was held up by adverse weather conditions and the discovery of mine shafts.
Shopper Ema Lambert, aged 30, of Milton said: "I think the new station looks quite impressive. Hopefully the new facility won't have the same problems like anti-social behaviour."
23 Comments
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by JimsDad
Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:15PM
“@ Deluded366
Like your style.
It's gratifying to see that someone has the same opinion, that for the members of the S-O-T Council, in-haling & ex-haling in a coherent and structured manner is difficult. As for making measured & considered decisions resulting in deplorable actions for future of the City comes far to easy”
by LeighinHanley
Thursday, March 14 2013, 5:20PM
“Reading all the negative comments, can we assume that you were all happy with the old smelly, dirty, smoky, cold, draughty, water dripping, open to the elements and lack of facilities bus station and won't be using the new one out of protest?
I doubt it.”
by deluded366
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:49AM
“@ JimsDad
1) Its built on the outskirts of Hanley
Its not really. It's built within the ring road which is classed as the city centre. Yes, it's out of the way compared to most of the city centre but its right next door to the old station and that worked fine for decades.
2) Its built at the opposite end of the town from where the main shopping area. – Why?
It may be at the opposite end to the current main shopping centre but the council are demolishing the old bus station to build a brand new shopping centre. It's all part of the master plan. Google city sentral.
3) Whole swathes of traffic re-routing and Money spent to do this. - Why?
Most of the traffic rerouting isn't down to the new bus station. Yes, it has contributed but most of it is for the whole redevelopent of hanley city centre. With the new CBD in place and City Sentral (if it gets built), there will need to be some serious overhaul of the cities dated and complicated roads.
4) When it's finished you will have to pass from the bus station through a demolition site to get to the city centre. –Why?
Will you? The direct route to the city centre (potteries centre) would be up lichfield st and up tontine st. You wont need to go anywhere near the old bus station.
5) 4 months late. – Why?
Its a council run project. Thats why...
6) Budget - what budget no-one know the final costs. –Why?
No doubt everyone at the council will know the costs and no doubt they are keeping quiet because it is massively over budget. Just like every other plan for the "new hanley" will be.”
by GOLUM
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 11:02PM
“Will there be extra buses to Crewe”
by GOLUM
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 11:00PM
“Will there be extra shuttle buses to the new CBD in Crewe?”
by I_Norris
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 8:03PM
“Hopefully there GPS can soon be connect to the council live traffic map to show time next bus due at any stop http://tinyurl.com/cnk4qg2”
by JimsDad
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 7:44PM
“Look at the facts over this Bus Station
1) Its built on the outskirts of Hanley – Why?
2) Its built at the opposite end of the town from where the main shopping area. – Why?
3) Whole swathes of traffic re-routing and Money spent to do this. - Why?
4) When it's finished you will have to pass from the bus station through a demolition site to get to the city centre. –Why?
5) 4 months late. – Why?
6) Budget - what budget no-one know the final costs. –Why?
Why would anyone, business or council commit to a project without a fixed agreed cost, instead on an open ended cheque book basis, and allowed to be 4 months late, without any financial penalty.
Have the councillors, designers, architects, sponger, money grabbers, hanger oner's, mates of mates ever seen Stafford or Derby Bus Station. They are nothing like this monstrous carbuncle. I'm so glad I pay my council tax to Stafford B.C. Been a former Stoke resident, people of Stoke vote these people out of the council before the City of Stoke is drawn back to the middle ages by people who really don't know how to run a bath, let alone run a council / city.”
by Scooby
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 6:21PM
“Six months late and yet to be disclosed £millions over budget.
Nearly a third (29%) smaller than the one it is to replace combined with council expectations (big hopes) of increased footfall makes it not fit for purpose.
Along with the design flaw of glare of reflected sunlight on drivers travelling to hanley up Lichfield Street.
Yes labour councillors again giving third best to the people of the city.”
by stokepotter
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 5:17PM
“Will they now run a shuttle bus from the bus station up to the shops? Once again a missed oppotunity from our 'visionary' (ha ha) leaders. It would have made a lot more sense to have built the new bus station near to the Potteries Shopping Centre rather than on the edge of the town. How are elderly people and those with disablements supposed to carry shopping bags from the shops to this far flung terminal?
I suppose though it will be close to Mr Pevez' and his cronies other lame duck / white elephant of the New Civic Centre that they blindly insist on building despite so much opposition from the people they are supposed to serve. I guess though Mr Pevez and his cronies will not be using the bus though as they will probably get free car parking and be able to claim their monsteroulsy high car mileage allowances.
We really do need to get this lot out of power and get people in there who DO serve the needs of the citizens of this City.”
by stokepotter
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 5:14PM
“Will they now run a shuttle bus from the bus station up to the shops? Once again a missed oppotunity from our 'visionary' (ha ha) leaders. It would have made a lot more sense to have built the bus station near to the Potteries Shopping Centre rather than on the edge of the town. How are elderly people and those with disablements supposed to carry shopping bags form the shops to this far flung terminal?.
I suppose though it will be close to their other lame duck / white elephant of the New Civic Centre that they blindly insist on building despite so much opposition from the people they are supposed to serve. I guess though Mr Pevez and his cronies will not be using the bus though as they will probably get free car parking and be able to claim their monsteroulsy high car mileage allowances.”