Rusted curves on the Bus Station car park Pic: Tony Worrall

Preston Bus Station’s repair bill is thought likely to come out at the £14 million mark.

Conservative county councillors claim a report, due to be put to Lancashire County Council’s cabinet in early November, shows the repairs will be a minimum of £10 million.

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County Hall took over ownership of the Bus Station after buying the grade II listed building for £1 from Preston City Council.

It has £8.3 million set aside for work on the building and is thought to be exploring accessing heritage funding for further repairs.

Conservative county councillor Graham Gooch has lashed out at the city council saying it has allowed the building to rot.

He told the Lancashire Evening Post: “A full survey was carried out in 1999, when the cost of repairs was estimated at £2.1m. Now the deterioration that has been allowed to continue leaves the taxpayers of Lancashire with a bill of £14m, just for the repairs.

“This means that Preston’s bus station will now be paid for by people far from Preston, from Barnoldswick, Morecambe and West Lancashire.”

Preston City Council leader councillor Peter Rankin said: “There is a lot of history surrounding Preston city centre and its prominent buildings, involving both Labour and Conservative administrations.

“But now it is time to look ahead. The bus station has not been allowed to get into a state of dilapidation, but it is ready for renovation and refurbishment.

“We are working alongside Lancashire County Council to focus on, and promote, redevelopment and growth within Preston.”

The Bus Station was listed in September 2013, the third attempt to have it listed.

This forced the city council into a u-turn on its demolition policy, and saw the building transferred to the county council.

What do you think about the cost of repairing the Bus Station? Do you back the money being spent? Let us know in the comments below