Bus station developers submit plans to town hall

An artist's impression of the new Wigan bus station

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has this week submitted a planning application for the state-of-the-art development following a public consultation.

The proposals will now require approval from the council’s planning committee with project developers working toward a completion date in 2018.

TfGM bosses said just short of 200 residents took part in the consultation with seven events held around the town centre late last year.

Coun Andrew Fender, chair of the TfGM Committee said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and gave us their views. The large volume of responses received at a busy time of year shows the level of interest the new bus station generated.

“All of the responses received have been carefully considered and as a result of the feedback the plans were adapted before being submitted to Wigan Council.”

A TfGM report of the consultations reveals 154 of the 182 responses were positive about the plans, agreeing the investment was needed.

However, 17 residents expressed they thought it was a waste of money on a station that currently “works fine”.

The report added: “In terms of critical comments, the issue most frequently mentioned was value for money, with people questioning why money was being spent on a new bus station when the existing facility ‘already served its purpose’.

“It should be highlighted that the bus station is being funded by the Government’s Local Growth Fund and not by Wigan Council and that this money could not be diverted to provide Council services or towards other projects.”

As a result of the consultation, the concourse has been widened to allay congestion concerns.

Speaking about the bus station revamp last year, Coun David Molyneux, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It is essential that Wigan borough has an improved transport system that is fit for the decades.

“A new bus station in Wigan is a key part of that. It will support the economic growth of the town and enable people to get to and from their places of work as well as Wigan’s great shops, markets, restaurants and bars in a modern, safe and welcoming environment.”