Preston Bus Station to be demolished

[Wath Yard]

You may not be from Preston but have you even visited it?

Preston railway station is not a fair walk from the city centre. It is next door to the main shopping centre and at one end of the main shopping street. Like many towns and cities the railway station is at the edge of the city centre but it isn't possible for one building to be close to everywhere.

There are many reasons why you couldn't build a bus station next to the railway station.

As for the bus station; I'm no fan of brutalist architecture but Preston bus station is a magnificent and quite beautiful (in its own way) building. It would be a real shame if the council finally got its way and demolished it. Let's face it - Preston doesn't really have anything else going for it.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Agreed, i've been there many times waiting for buses/coaches & it's a dump really needs rebuilding, half the stands aren't even in use. Worst thing is to enter or exit the bus station you either have to use the subways which are grim & you don't feel safe using them, or cross over the busway playing chicken with the buses.

Totally agree. Many people in this thread have commented on the distance to talk to the railway station, but that's only part of the problem. The real problem is that from getting off at the bus station, it's a significant walk to get to *anywhere*, especially if your bus stops towards the northern end of the bus station. A lot of the problem is down to the way the current bus station has been stupidly designed as an island with roads all around it. The current building may well be impressive and iconic but the times I've used it, it doesn't strike me as fit for purpose.

Although it is sad to see iconic buildings go, if a new bus station can be designed that is more welcoming and convenient to passengers, then I will be happy about that. The question is of course whether Lancashire County Council will design a replacement that is up to standard.

 

[90019]

It's not just a beautiful and iconic building. It's functional - 1,100 car parking places and 80 bus gates.

How many of those are used every day?
How often are there 80 buses there?


I do like the building a lot, but trying to carry on using it as a bus station in it's current form seems a pointless waste of money.

 

[PR1Berske]

Totally agree. Many people in this thread have commented on the distance to talk to the railway station, but that's only part of the problem. The real problem is that from getting off at the bus station, it's a significant walk to get to *anywhere*, especially if your bus stops towards the northern end of the bus station. A lot of the problem is down to the way the current bus station has been stupidly designed as an island with roads all around it. The current building may well be impressive and iconic but the times I've used it, it doesn't strike me as fit for purpose.

Although it is sad to see iconic buildings go, if a new bus station can be designed that is more welcoming and convenient to passengers, then I will be happy about that. The question is of course whether Lancashire County Council will design a replacement that is up to standard.

Remember that for 12 years the Council said that the bus station was in the wrong place and had to be demolished, at the cost of £25m.

They now say that the bus station can be built in the same place for £15m

A lot about this doesn't add up. And you bet your bottom dollar that I want the bus station to stay - demolition is short-sighted, shallow, gutless, unjustifiable vandalism.

 

[Eagle]

How about they just demolish the half of it that isn't needed to be used

 

[Wath Yard]

Would anybody notice? It has been a desolate and unloved place for as long as I can remember. Perhaps if the council had given it a bit of TLC over the years it wouldn't cost so much to keep it now, though I doubt the council's figures are correct - they've wanted rid of it for years and are probably just looking for an excuse now the fantasy Tithebarn development has predictably gone belly up.

In response to comments regarding it is too big. It would be ludicrous to build a bus station of that size now but the fact is it is there, so being too big is fairly irrelevant. If you knocked it down nothing of importance would replace it.

 

[Class20]

Using the bus station today, I counted 43 stands which do not have a bus route allocated to it. Some of them are currently used as part of the pedestrian walkways across the bus apron. Others are used as over flow stands allowing extra space during busy periods.

Demolishing the Guild Hall is never going to happen. Though I do think that having a new bus station built next to the railway station would be a good idea. Yes there are issues and problems, which most likely means its not going to happen, but surly there are more positives then negatives for this?

 

[tbtc]

It has been a desolate and unloved place for as long as I can remember

Preston, or just the bus station?

It would be ludicrous to build a bus station of that size now but the fact is it is there, so being too big is fairly irrelevant

Not irrelevant - since almost two thirds of stances are unused that suggests a lot of extra maintenance required to keep the place functioning.

 

[Wath Yard]

Though I do think that having a new bus station built next to the railway station would be a good idea. Yes there are issues and problems, which most likely means its not going to happen, but surly there are more positives then negatives for this?

There's nowhere to build one, the road system around the railway station would be totally inadequate even if there was space, and there is a big hill. Other than those things, and the money involved that the council wouldn't be able to find then yes - great idea.

 

[Class20]

There's a large car park out side the shopping centre just across from the short stay car park. A great way to integrate public transport in the city and reduce the use of the car in the city centre. Of course extra work would be needed to create additional car parks. But then why should that happen?

My fantasy plan would be to create new Park & Ride sites around the edge of the city, located in places that would appeal to car users unlike the current Portway site (extra bus priority schemes could be added here as well). Then build a new bus station on the site of the current shopping centre car park allowing the old bus station be to demolished.

As I say its a fantasy plan.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

You all obviously have never used the stand during peak hours and after major events. Every stand is used, in fact there's not enough room for all the buses so some start at Deepdale Depot. (Like after the Torchlight Procession some extra 19s started from there)

 

[starrymarkb]

You all obviously have never used the stand during peak hours and after major events. Every stand is used, in fact there's not enough room for all the buses so some start at Deepdale Depot. (Like after the Torchlight Procession some extra 19s started from there)

But is it worth maintaining 39 bays that are only used for a few days a year?

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

But is it worth maintaining 39 bays that are only used for a few days a year?

They're not used much now, but in the future the stands will be needed with more bus services. Until then, it's worth maintaining the extra stands, or at least converting them into something that can be converted back into extra stands at a later date.

 

[tbtc]

in the future the stands will be needed with more bus services

Are you sure?

I can't think of any bus station in the UK that has seen much of an increase in departures in recent years (ignoring those where another "local" one has closed - like the boom at Buchanan in Glasgow when Anderston closed).

It's a huge structure that doesn't meet its function in 2012 (being over twice the size it needs to be etc)

 

[Ivo]

Using the bus station today, I counted 43 stands which do not have a bus route allocated to it.

99% of bus stations in this country don't even have that many stands. 43 being left idle is a huge number - more than half. If there was a Beeching of the buses, he would insist that the facility is scaled back substantially.

They're not used much now, but in the future the stands will be needed with more bus services. Until then, it's worth maintaining the extra stands, or at least converting them into something that can be converted back into extra stands at a later date.

Not true, and I am certain that you know this. Most places have seen bus patronage go down - so why would extra bays be necessary?

 

[Lewisham2221]

To put it into perspective, 36 bays with services departing each bay every 5 minutes would give 180 departures per hour. The current bus station would allow 400 departures per hour. I'd hazard a guess at 180 buses per hour being more than enough.

 

[Ivo]

To put it into perspective, 36 bays with services departing each bay every 5 minutes would give 180 departures per hour. The current bus station would allow 400 departures per hour. I'd hazard a guess at 180 buses per hour being more than enough.

Except that you've got your maths wrong (sorry for being blunt ). At one bus every five minutes, 36 bays is sufficient for 432 buses per hour - and 80 is enough for 960! You are certainly right that 180 is more than enough though...

 

[Lewisham2221]

Except that you've got your maths wrong (sorry for being blunt ). At one bus every five minutes, 36 bays is sufficient for 432 buses per hour - and 80 is enough for 960! You are certainly right that 180 is more than enough though...

Yep, 180 buses per hour would be a bus every 12 minutes per stand.

 

[tbtc]

How many buses use the bus station each hour at the moment?

(ignoring "once a year" special events)

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

Not true, and I am certain that you know this. Most places have seen bus patronage go down - so why would extra bays be necessary?

Hmm, suppose so. While its nice having the UK's biggest bus station, we should think economically. Mind, the bus station should stay open as its pointless knocking it down with nowhere else to go besides on itself and nowhere for buses to terminate.

I'll think about it overnight.

 

[PR1Berske]

This line of thought is where the Council have led us and it's simply not true.

Having 80 gates is an opportunity, not a burden, and if 80 really is too many, then the building could still be retained whilst turning one half into a set of commercial units (and not just for Burger King and the like, let's think a little more original)

If the Council want a retail revolution, they're going the wrong way about it. You can't attract people into town if they can't park anywhere. The only way to get into Preston under the Council's plan is by train.

 

[snail]

Having 80 gates is an opportunity, not a burden, and if 80 really is too many, then the building could still be retained whilst turning one half into a set of commercial units (and not just for Burger King and the like, let's think a little more original)

In all my time in Preston I don't think I've come across anyone from outside that visits the place just to see the bus station. It was built at a time when roads were the future and concrete was king. Now it's tatty concrete and unfriendly subways. Buildings like this really have little scope for other use. Car parks you can build elsewhere, preferably outside the city centre.

 

[Statto]

In all my time in Preston I don't think I've come across anyone from outside that visits the place just to see the bus station. It was built at a time when roads were the future and concrete was king. Now it's tatty concrete and unfriendly subways. Buildings like this really have little scope for other use. Car parks you can build elsewhere, preferably outside the city centre.

Indeed, how many people complaining about the proposed demolition actually use the bus station themselves?
Only reason i use the bus station is to change buses not because of the architecture, 80 stands when half of them aren't used is far too many stands, & Preston needs rebuilding, & if it's rebuilt to the standard of the bus stations in West Yorkshire then all for the better.

 

[PR1Berske]

Indeed, how many people complaining about the proposed demolition actually use the bus station themselves?

Oh come on, that's down there with such classics as "If you like Europe so much, why don't you live there?"

No other city in Britain would be considering as a good idea demolishing a transport interchange, that's the main issue here.

You wouldn't get Network Rail knocking down Crewe station.

 

[snail]

You wouldn't get Network Rail knocking down Crewe station.

Does Crewe have 40 surplus platforms?

You have picked a bad comparator in Network Rail. When was the last time you used Blackpool Central. Or Morecambe Promenade? That's just two off the top of my head, there are lots more...

In fact, NR have in the past proposed knocking down Crewe and rebuilding it at Basford, 1.5 miles to the south.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Oh come on, that's down there with such classics as "If you like Europe so much, why don't you live there?"

No other city in Britain would be considering as a good idea demolishing a transport interchange, that's the main issue here.

You wouldn't get Network Rail knocking down Crewe station.

Which is precisely why Stoke-on-Trent City Council are demolishing the existing 31 stand bus station in the city centre and replacing it with a 22 stand...

You also seem to be missing the fact that they are planning to build a replacement bus station in Preston.

 

[Class20]

What they really need is a City Centre shuttle like those used in numerous other (mostly PTE) areas. A Solo every ten minutes, terminating at the side entrance to the station (where Rail Replacement services go) and running through to the bus station via a different route to "normal" services, should be enough.

I'm fairly certain something like that has already been tried. I can just about remember a Mercedes 709D mini bus parked in the short stay car park. I think it was free for people with a train ticket, other wise there was a small charge.

I've also found something in the fleet news section of the May 2006 issue of BUSES. Under Preston Bus it says:
"An interesting proposal is for seven-seat electric minibuses to operate a shuttle service linking the station with the university and shopping centres. A demonstration vehicle has been on display to the public."

Also, the only logical way to get from the railway station to the bus station is the same way as current bus services go, via the ring road. And in the other direction, through the centre of Preston along Fishergate. Any other route would require a lengthy diversion, unless of course that was planned.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Which is precisely why Stoke-on-Trent City Council are demolishing the existing 31 stand bus station in the city centre and replacing it with a 22 stand...

You also seem to be missing the fact that they are planning to build a replacement bus station in Preston.

To a smaller comparison but still on the same line of thinking, there is to be a new bus station to replace the existing one at Altrincham Interchange, which will have less stances than the current number of 11 (which are numbered A to M).

 

[starrymarkb]

Exeter will be replacing its 19 stand one soon. Not sure how many stands the new one will have but it does need something doing to it.

The city will be without a bus station for a few months, but hopefully it will be worth it (lets hope for no Snafus like Derby)

Btw this was Derby before...

And this is is now

I think I'd rather wait in the new one

 

[Eagle]

No other city in Britain would be considering as a good idea demolishing a transport interchange, that's the main issue here.

It's demolishing and replacing a major transport interchange. Nothing's being lost in terms of function (except a couple of dozen redundant stands).