Council to take on station

Lancashire County Council has agreed to take ownership of Preston Bus Station. The deal will see an £8.3m investment made into improving the Grade II listed building. Key aspects of the deal include keeping the station in public ownership, allowing the County Council to act as transport authority to invest in the building and improve facilities for passengers, as well as easing the City Council’s financial situation.

Leader of Preston City Council, Cllr Peter Rankin, said, ‘This is the best possible outcome for Preston and Lancashire, as the bus station is an important transport hub for the county. The deal will put to rest any doubt whatsoever over Preston Bus Station. The building’s future will be 100% guaranteed. In fact, the County Council will be able to invest in the building to improve the facilities for the thousands of people that use it every day. We have always wanted a bus station fit for the 21st century. The transfer will take us towards that goal. This, I know, will be very much welcomed by the people of Preston. So too will the fact that the City Council will no longer have to find the money to run the building which, given the savage budget cuts imposed on Preston, was a significant financial strain for the City Council. Lancashire County Council simply has the scale, expertise and resources to manage such a large building. I’ve always understood people’s passion for Preston Bus Station and can see why many people want to keep it. Our past decision to demolish was purely a financial one. As a City Council, we couldn’t afford to either invest or indeed keep the building open. I am both relieved and delighted that the County Council is set to take the building on and secure the future of Preston Bus Station for the people of Preston and Lancashire.’

 

 

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