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Huddersfield Bus Station is due for a £20 million revamp, with plans including a living grass roof. The plans are expected to be approved soon by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and it is hoped that it will encourage more people to make journeys by bus. 60 new cycle stands will also be installed, a huge increase from the current six.
The BBC reports that the redevelopment is a joint project between Kirklees Council and WYCA, and they aim to transform the area into one of the busiest bus stations in West Yorkshire. The sweeping new canopy will feature a lattice work structure to allow for the flow of natural light, and a living roof with grass and solar panels installed.
There will also be a new ‘Changing Places’ toilet installed, which are fully accessible toilets for people who need extra equipment and space to use a toilet hygienically and safely. This can be the case for people with multiple sclerosis, profound learning disabilities, muscular dystrophy, and spinal injuries.
There will also be extra seating, a contemplation room, and upgraded shop fronts. The plans were drawn up after a public consultation found that the majority of current users said that the bus station was unattractive, uncomfortable, and did not feel safe.
However, at a meeting of Kirklees Council’s economy and neighbourhoods scrutiny panel, concerns were raised about the scope of the consultation. Councillor John Taylor said that by mainly consulting people who already used the bus station, the WYCA was missing out on the opportunity to find out the reasons why people weren’t using buses.
He said: “If you want to increase bus patronage, you need to speak to people who aren’t using buses, not the people who are, because you need to find out why they’re not using buses.”
He added: “If you find out why they’re not using buses, you might find that you’ve got a different challenge in terms of, if your objective is to increase bus patronage, you need to be talking to the people who aren’t using buses so you’re better off spending your time in the car parks rather than the bus stations.”
Cllr Taylor also raised concerns about how well maintained the green areas would be. If the plans are approved, they will be escalated to the more detailed stages of the process.
There are wider plans to upgrade Huddersfield town centre, including a new West Yorkshire Police Station, the reopening of the historic George Hotel, and an expansion of the University of Huddersfield with a new Health Innovation Campus.
Huddersfield community champion Stephen Knight said: “It’s marvellous news that all this investment is coming our way after so many years in the doldrums and watching Halifax, Barnsley and even Brighouse running away with it.”
“But it’s OK smartening up and investing heavily in sites off the ring road and so on but streets like John William Street, the main road through the town centre are in desperate need of some investment, it looks very tired indeed.”
If the Bus Station plans make it through to the final stages, work is set to begin in 2023.
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