Bus Station
The bus station should be redeveloped to create a high quality public transport “gateway” to the City centre for bus users, with much improved passenger facilities, and a transparent façade to North Road. In early 2005 the bus station underwent some essential management and safety alterations, but these do not preclude more radical changes. The quality of a new building should set a new standard of design and construction for development in North Road and would be one of the City’s modern jewels.
The bus station should be reconfigured to provide:
• 14 bus stands with capacity for existing and future services, including enhanced existing routes; 11 bus stands on the eastern edge and three new stands on the southern edge.
• Access and egress via a single connection to the new junction at North Road/Castle Chare, enabling the exit into North Road to be closed. This will require additional manoeuvring space to enable buses to turn within the site.
• Improved real time information systems and active bus stand management that will maximise the operational capacity of the bus station.
The frontage to North Road should be redeveloped to create a glazed ground floor façade to the bus station that is transparent to North Road and of sufficient height to be open, light and airy. Passenger facilities should include information and ticket purchase and small commercial outlets that provide services to bus station users but are arranged and oriented so as not to obstruct bus passenger movements. Above part or the entire frontage, new space can be provided on up to two floors to accommodate bus company and crew facilities and commercial office space (up to 700 sqm over three floors).
