Work starts on new Radcliffe bus station

Work has now started on building a new bus station in the heart of Radcliffe which should be ready for Christmas.

The station will have more room, while passengers will benefit from purpose-built shelters (including live travel information and CCTV), increased comfort and security along with environmental improvements including stepped seating areas, disabled access ramps, and high-quality planting.

This is the second phase of development proposals to regenerate the town centre, following the £1 million refurbishment of the Market Hall.

The third phase is to create a retail-led scheme, to be anchored by a supermarket. The council has now begun the search to attract a partner to develop the sites of the old bus station and the existing surfaced and unsurfaced market car parks, with the aim of beginning work in early 2016.

As well as new shops, the scheme will include high quality public areas that will ‘knit together’ the new development with the market hall, Radcliffe Piazza and the Asda store across Pilkington Way. It will include a ground level car park, accessed directly off Pilkington Way, which will serve both the new scheme and the refurbished market hall.

Mike Owen, interim chief executive of Bury Council, said: “In 2011, when the council announced its renewed determination to regenerate Radcliffe town centre, I think it’s fair to say some people thought ‘we’ll believe it when we see it’.

“Well, the evidence is now there for everyone to see. The market hall has been refurbished to an extremely high standard and construction of a brand new top quality bus station has just started.

“Confidence in Radcliffe is strong, and we have already received a very positive reaction from a wide range of developers who are keen to work with the council to carry out the third and final phase of the town centre transformation. We hope to make a formal announcement about the successful development partner in the summer with the aim of starting on site early in 2016.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 April 2015.