An underground feature of Preston city centre is to be no more.

Subways linking the city’s grade-II listed Bus Station with Carlisle Street, St John’s Shopping Centre and the Guild Hall are to be filled in.

Work began on Monday (4 September) to fill the subways with foamed concrete.

Lancashire County Council say the white-tiled passageways have become hotspots for anti-social behaviour over the years, along with litter and graffiti.

The three subways have been closed to the public since early 2017.

The Bus Station is to be accessed by new routes above ground as well as the new western public square once it is complete.

Read more: Bus Station work sees lifts and stairs closed off

While the building is listed, the subways are not.

Project manager for the Bus Station redevelopment Andrew Barrow said: “This is another important stage in the redevelopment of this landmark building. We know that the subways have attracted a lot of problems over the years, which led some people to avoid them or even avoid the bus station overall.

“Our aim is very clear. We want to create an inviting and improved space for people, whether they are catching a bus, parking here, or coming into the city for work, shopping or leisure.

“Filling in the subways will allow us to start work on the next stages of this exciting redevelopment project.”

Read more: First part of the new look concourse opens at Preston Bus Station

Work on the northern and southern subways has already started and the central subway is to see work begin on Monday 18 September.

Tiles from the subways have been taken from the subways to be reused elsewhere in the building work.

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