Quadrant Bus Station (artist's impression)
THE future of bus travel in Swansea is about to start taking shape.
Shoppers will soon have their first glimpse of what the city's new £10 million Quadrant bus station is going to look like. With the main foundation work completed, contractors can now crack on with putting up the steel frame for the main concourse.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: "The authority is ploughing £10 million of grant funding into the redevelopment of the existing bus station site to provide public transport users with a modern new transport interchange.
"The new public transport facility will feature 20 bus bays, three coach stands, modern passenger facilities, easy access to the shops and Shopmobility facilities.
"The station will also include state-of-the-art Changing Places facilities, specially designed for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as other serious impairments such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or an acquired brain injury."
Passengers and business leaders had long called for a better bus station in the city centre, but plans repeatedly stalled over funding and ownership of the land.
Then last June the old bus station, which was 30 years old and showing its age, finally closed for the redevelopment to start.
Swansea Council says its target is to have its state-of-the-art replacement up and running before the start of the busy Christmas trading period.
As the contract period is 15 months, the work should be finished in October.
Temporary bus stops have been put up around the city while the Quadrant remains off-limits.
Cabinet member for the environment John Hague said: "The Quadrant bus station will be a huge asset for the city and will help improve public transport.
"We have made every effort to ensure public transport services operate effectively in the city centre while the work is ongoing," he added.
The project has received significant funding from the Welsh Assembly Government and the Wales European Funding Office.
South Wales Evening Post paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
Thursday, February 25, 2010
