Climbdown over Telford bus station move

The existing station will instead undergo a revamp in a multi-million pound scheme that will see a number of large shops built next to it, Telford Shopping Centre bosses said today.

The news comes after a backlash from bus users against plans to shut the existing bus station and move it to the south end of the Brown Elm car park, near Southwater.

The redevelopment plans will be revealed at a three-day public exhibition being held at Telford Shopping Centre next week as part of a wider public consultation.

The plans being put forward by the owners of the shopping centre have been developed in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council and bus operator Arriva Midlands.

The delivery of the proposals has been made possible by a £1.3 million contribution to the total costs that Telford & Wrekin Council has secured from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.

Guy Beaumont, from Sovereign Centros, the owner of Telford Shopping Centre, said the plans were in response to public feedback received from previous consultations

He said there was "an overwhelming preference" for any new bus station to be in the same location as the existing one, together weather protection.

"These latest plans offer an important opportunity to redevelop Telford's ageing bus station, transforming the customer environment and creating space for new stores," he said.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "This represents further exciting development for Telford Town Centre and builds further on our £250 million Southwater development that has proved so popular with the public."

The public exhibition will be held in unit 222 on Telford Shopping Centre's Wrekin Square next week from noon to 8pm on March 3, 8am to 5.30pm on March 4, and 10am to 4pm on March 5.