The first look inside bus station after its
SNEAK PEEK BEFORE OPEN
ST MARGARET’S bus station is set to open on Monday morning after a £14.3 million rebuild.
The project to completely revamp the tired 1980s station has taken 18 months and has come in £800,000 over budget – with rising building material costs and supply chain issues to blame.
The grand reopening will take place on Monday, though the public is invited to have a look round on Sunday during an open afternoon.
Our photographer Chris Gordon was granted access yesterday to take the photos on this page.
The new facility is built within the same basic structure as its predecessor with what the city council says is an improved internal layout, a new cafe, better seats, modern toilets and real time digital passenger information.
Improvements have also been made to spruce up the surrounding streets, making them more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, and improving links with the city centre.
It is thought to be the first carbon neutral bus station in the UK. In fact, the building has an energy performance score of minus four, meaning it is better than net zero.
Electric bus charging points have been installed and the new building will offer secure storage for up to 100 bicycles, as well being the latest location for a docking station as part of the city’s new e-bike share scheme in partnership with Santander.
Bus services will see a staggered return, with local services which were relocated while the work was carried out returning to St Margaret’s from next Monday.
National Express services will then join them at the new station on Tuesday, July 5. Deputy city mayor Councillor Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “You can’t help but notice what a positive difference this investment has already made to the area. “We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to the new St Margaret’s bus station and into this striking new net zero carbon building when it reopens in a few days’ time.” Visitors will have an opportunity to have a look around the new bus station dur
It will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this important gateway into Leicester
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, right
ing an open day on Sunday, from 12.30pm.
During the open afternoon, Leicester Transport Heritage Trust will be inviting visitors to explore the history of bus travel with a display of vintage vehicles.
There will also be a chance to take a trip back in time with a free vintage bus service between the new St Margaret’s bus station and Abbey Pumping Station.
The event runs until 4pm. City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The new St Margaret’s bus station is an important project for Leicester and the completion of this fantastic new building marks the beginning of a revival of this part of the city.
“This new investment is providing a huge boost for public transport.
“It will also act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this important gateway into Leicester, helping to attract even more investment into the city.”
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