Bolton Council gives green light to Farnworth bus station revamp

Proposals for a new bus station for the Farnworth area of Greater Manchester have been given the go-ahead by Bolton Council. The council approved plans submitted by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to redevelop the existing bus station on King Street.

The new look station will feature contemporary styled bus shelters, enhanced passenger safety and security measures, better on-site travel information and signage. There will also be cycle parking.

The planning application followed a public consultation held in March this year, during which some 100 responses were received.

The bus station improvements are supported by central government through the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal Programme. The programme is being delivered by TfGM and Bolton Council, the scheme forms part of the Salford Bolton Network Improvement (SBNI) programme, which is designed to make the transport network more efficient.

Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, said: “A new, improved bus station will play an important role in supporting Bolton Council’s vision for the regeneration of Farnworth’s town centre. The Salford Bolton Network Improvement programme, across a number of areas in Bolton and Salford, is designed to benefit residents by upgrading the transport network, improving pedestrian and cyclist facilities and offering better connections to employment opportunities, health, education and leisure.”

Farnworth councillor Noel Spencer, said: “We are pleased that this investment will be going ahead and the improvements have been given the green light. We are committed to the regeneration of Farnworth town centre and we are working with all our partners to make this happen.”

Bolton Council plans to start work to deliver the bus station on behalf of TfGM in early 2018. It will be in operation by the summer of next year.

During the construction period, temporary bus stops will be located as close to the existing bus station as possible. The temporary stops mean that, although the bus station has to close for redevelopment, passengers can still catch their services nearby with minimal disruption to their journeys.