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Preston Bus Station project lands Civic Trust award

Posted on - 15th March, 2022 - 8:00am | Author - | Posted in - Politics, Preston buildings & attractions, Preston Bus Station, Preston News, Transport
Preston Bus Station at night Pic: Tony Worrall
Preston Bus Station. Pic: Tony Worrall

A Preston Bus Station project led by two architects has landed a special award from The Civic Trust.

A redevelopment that ran from 2015 to 2018 included a new public space, the relocation of the coach station and bus stands, renovations, and changes to the concourse to create new waiting areas.

The Grade-II listed building owned by Lancashire County Council was redesigned by architects, London-based John Puttick Associates and Preston-based Cassidy and Ashton.

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County Councillor Charlie Edwards, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The redevelopment of Preston Bus Station was always intended to improve and update this iconic building for the people who use it.

“This latest accolade from The Civic Trust recognises this sensitive redevelopment, which was led by John Puttick and his team, in partnership with our own in-house project team.

Preston Bus Station is a significant civic monument, which we carefully redeveloped to retain the aspects that make it so unique while making it more suited to modern transport needs.”

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Built in the Brutalist architectural style between 1968 and 1969, Preston Bus Station was originally designed by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of Building Design Partnership with E. H. Stazicker and engineered by Ove Arup and Partners.

The future of the building was in doubt due to the investment required to bring the bus station up to modern standards.

It changed in 2014 when its owners, Preston City Council, approved a deal for Lancashire County Council to take ownership of the building.

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Councillor Edwards said: “Improving key bus stations is a crucial element to our vision of transforming Lancashire’s public transport network and ties in with our ambitious Bus Service Improvement Plan, developed in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council.

“This improvement plan is the first step into delivering on the National Bus Strategy, Bus Back Better, and will pave the way for improvement measures that will, over time, make public transport the preferred mode of choice in Lancashire.”

The redevelopment project rejuvenated the building, and it remained open throughout construction.

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Accolades have followed since its completion, including several awards from RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The Civic Trust’s Special Award for Reuse and Adaptation recognises schemes that would otherwise be left to decay or be demolished.

The Civic Trust Awards scheme, established in 1959, honours outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment.

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The awards recognise projects that have positively contributed to the local communities they serve.

Architect John Puttick said: “We are honoured by all the recognition received for the redevelopment of Preston Bus Station.

“This latest award is especially pleasing, as it recognises projects that would have been left to decay or be demolished and which have made a positive contribution to the communities they serve.

“This is very fitting to Preston Bus Station, which is such an important part of city life.

“The station is an impressive example of Brutalist architecture, and we are proud to have played a role in refurbishing this well-used and well-loved building to meet the needs of today.”

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The redevelopment of Preston Bus Station included a renovation of the concourse with new lighting, seating and changes to the bus stands.

A new external coach station was created in the former taxi rank at the south end of the building, near the Guild Hall.

The project created a new public space on the former bus apron with new benches, grassed areas and trees, new lighting and signage.

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The aim was to increase the connection between the Grade II-Listed building and the city centre.

The new space improved the views of the building and could be used for activities and events.

Work also occurred on the car park levels, including repairs to the concrete, improved lighting, new security cameras, and repairs and improvements to the ramps to make the car park levels more welcoming.



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