The public are being asked to have their say on the council plans for a new bus station in North Road.

When the council last consulted on the scheme in 2014 there was overwhelming support for better facilities with the current bus station, considered by many to be poor. Many suggestions were also received on the details of the scheme which has seen the council work with a range of partners including Historic England and the Design North East. The Council has attempted to further refine the proposals to ensure the new facility both meets the needs of people travelling into and out of Durham by bus, whilst at the same time respecting the beautiful and historic environment of Durham City.

The proposals would see a new bus station built on the current site of the roundabout and adjacent buildings at the top of North Road. A new junction would be installed allowing for part of North Road to be pedestrianised, providing a gateway to the city and making the bus station and shopping in the area safer, easier and more accessible.

Residents can find out more about the proposals, as well as the wider regeneration taking place on North Road, and have their say at www.durham.gov.uk/northroad until Friday, 4 November.

A public exhibition displaying the plans and images of what the proposed bus station would look like will also be held in North Road Methodist Church between 11.00am and 6.00pm on Thursday, 20 and Friday, 21 October.

If approved, the new bus station would cost in the region of £8 million, with work scheduled to start in the next two to three years.

Lib Dem Councillor David Freeman said:

“Many residents who use the bus to travel to Durham City want a better bus station, whether on its present site or a new site.

“The present bus station is certainly not fit for purpose. Any new bus station needs to be a welcome gateway to the city which it is certainly not at present.

“The Council’s plans are certainly eye-catching and would free up the present bus station site for a retail development, hopefully for a large department store.

“North Road is much in need of redevelopment and this could help. I am aware however that some residents do not think moving the bus station is the right thing to do. It will therefore be interesting what the public response is now that we have more idea of what the Council is proposing.”

Your councillors urge residents to have their say in the consultation.

 

   1 Comment