Council lease move paves the way for £1.8m bus station improvements in Alnwick
Northumberland County Council has agreed to take over the lease of Alnwick Bus Station so that major £1.8 million refurbishment work can be carried out.
The scheme aims to improve safety and passenger experience while also increasing bus use.
However, the site is controlled by a leaseholder who, after lengthy negotiations, confirmed they would only grant access if the council agreed to enter into a long-term lease and assumed responsibility for maintenance.
A report presented to the council’s cabinet explained that there was “no alternative” organisation willing to take this on.
The scheme is linked to wider regeneration in Alnwick, and there was fears that delay could impact the delivery of the entire programme and lose funding provided by the North East Strategic Mayoral Authority as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, the council’s deputy leader Cllr Richard Wearmouth explained: “This is something we have been campaigning for for a very long time. It is something that we pushed for a long period.
“It is something we get feedback from residents on a lot – that the bus station needs significant improvement. There is a lot of work going on through Borderlands and this is hugely complementary to that. programme.”
Council leader Glen Sanderson added: “The bus station in Alnwick is not fit for purpose. It is a bad place to wait for your bus – or get off your bus.
“We know there has been some anti-social behaviour and we hope that will no longer take place.”
On the anti-social behaviour, cabinet member for public safety Gordon Stewart added: “This is something we’re conscious of and we’re working on with our partners in the county including the police and local youth services.
“We are determined to make it a far nicer place for residents to be.”
The proposals were unanimously agreed by the cabinet members.