This will no longer be a familiar sight on the western side of the Bus Station Pic: Paul Melling

Clarity on how many bus stands there will be in Preston Bus Station after major works to the building has been given.

Preston Bus Station is to only operate buses from the Eastern side of the building.

Currently there are 80 bays for buses but Lancashire County Council says all these are no longer needed.

Plans submitted to Preston City Council show 33 bays are to be available, with four further bays for long-distance coach departures for Megabus and National Express.

The coaches will depart from the unused taxi rank at the southern end of the building which is to be revamped.

Preston Bus have raised concerns about the lack of ‘layover’ spaces which are used during busy times of day.

A spokesman for the firm said: “The current number of stands at the Bus Station (before the work started in November) is 68.

“Out of these, Preston Bus used 17, Stagecoach 19 and Transdev use one, which obviously amounts to 37.

“However there will be some layover bays and a separate coach station.

“The main problem this causes for us is the amount of layover space tht we have at the Bus Station.

“Currently at busy times of say some buses are scheduled to park up for up to 20 minutes between journeys to ensure punctual departures.

“This will be more difficult to do when the new arrangements take place but we have plans to reduce the amount of layover time in the city centre. The challenge will be ensuring the current reliability of service continues where there is less space available to use.”

Read more: Farewell to the subways in Bus Station revamp

On the western side of the building the Preston Youth Zone is to be created alongside a new hard-standing area free from trafifc.

Another view of the Youth Zone alongside the Bus Station

Planning consultants Cassidy + Ashton state: “The works to create a modern and attractive facility will retain and enhance the key heritage features whilst addressing a number of aspects which were not fully taken into account with the original 1960’s design. ”

Read more: Here’s how Youth Zone is to look on Bus Station site

Major restoration work has already begun on the Bus Station car park’s ramps and the Western side of the building – as the county council put £23m into the grade-II listed building and the Youth Zone.

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You can see the full plans on the Preston City Council website and leave your comments there.

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