Build team named on Preston Bus Station
Conlon Construction will deliver the refurbishment of the existing grade two-listed bus station and car park, while Keepmoat is in line to construct the neighbouring Preston Youth Zone.
Both schemes are being supported by Cassidy + Ashton which is providing planning services, working alongside New York-based architect John Puttick for the Youth Zone and bus station concourse, and its own architects for the car park in the upper floors of the station.
Preston Bus Station is owned by Lancashire County Council. The scheme will see repairs to the concrete that makes up the grade two-listed Brutalist design, alongside alterations to the car parking level. Within the bus station itself, improvements are planned for the concourse. New outdoor public space would be created on the city centre side of the bus station, as well as changes to the road layout and better public access.
John Puttick has designed a home for the new Preston Youth Zone, housing a range of activities for young people, which will sit alongside the bus station.
Alban Cassidy, chartered town planning and environmental consultant at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We’re very excited to be working on these projects, particularly because it’s on our doorstep and is of great interest to many people, not just those living locally.
“The programme has been very challenging but we have had the opportunity to work with some highly skilled organisations which has made the whole project incredibly rewarding.”
Cassidy + Ashton has lodged the first of a number of applications and others will follow over the coming months.
The northern apron of the bus station is one of the very few open spaces within the city centre and provides for uninterrupted views of a truly iconic building. The new ‘Youth Zone Centre’ is a facility which is unnecessary and will cause oppressive visual clutter that will accelerate the degradation of this part of the city because no public body will be able to afford to operate or maintain it properly in these times of austerity. Renovate the bus station by all means but don’t overload the skyline of Preston and don’t overload the taxpayer with the unnecessary costs of an unnecessary facility that is not needed and won’t be maintained or managed properly.
By Ian Smith
Sounds very interesting plus be good use of space And a very nearly cause I like the sound of that.
By m murohy