Telford bus station redevelopment work starts

The out-of-date bus station at Telford Shopping Centre will be replaced with a bright new facility that offers a more welcoming, safer environment and transforms the look of Northfield Street.

Telford & Wrekin Council gave the green light for the plans for the bus station redevelopment earlier this year.

Construction will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to bus services during the build and keep the pedestrian access into Telford Shopping Centre open.

The work is expected to be completed by the autumn of next year.

Initially contractors, Interserve, will be remodelling the entrances and footpaths into the station, with demolition of the existing bus stands and construction of the new stands starting in the new year.

Centre manager Glynn Morrow said: "We are delighted to see work starting on this important development project which will provide the town with a much-needed modern bus station.

"The new facility will transform this part of the town centre, providing a brighter, safer and more welcoming gateway to Telford.

"We are working closely with Telford & Wrekin Council, Interserve and bus operators Arriva to try to keep disruption to all of our visitors to a minimum."

The new bus station will include a canopy to protect travellers from the elements, automatic glass doors to allow access to the buses when they arrive on the stands and seating for customers.

It is hoped that the new bus station, which has been designed in close partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council as well as Arriva Midlands & Shires, will encourage increased use of public transport use by creating a better and safer environment for customers.

The new bus station is the next phase of Telford town centre's multi-million pound transformation.

Work on the new Southern Quarter building is due for completion in the new year, when the restaurant units will be handed over to TGI Fridays, Handmade Burger Company and Prezzo ahead of openings in the spring.

The redevelopment of the Northern Quarter, on the site of the former Asda store, is also underway and discussions are ongoing with stores to take over the vacant premises.

The stores have not been named but Telford Shopping Centre says they do not currently have premises in the centre.

In September the council also gave the go-ahead for a new fashion quarter in the shopping centre.

Work on the new mall, which will create the kind of larger stores needed by modern retailers, will start next year.