Regeneration hope for ‘gateway’ bus station
AREGENERATION project for Ormskirk town centre has taken strides after decisions were made to go ahead with the Moor Street Gateway Project.
The project includes the redevelopment of the Ormskirk bus station site.
The council will work with Network Rail to improve the pedestrian link to the train station.
Ormskirk Bus Station has an unattractive building on a key gateway site for visitors to Ormskirk town centre, and it is recognised through the town centre strategy that the whole site is in need of improvement.
West Lancashire Borough Council, which owns the bus station and car park, recognises the potential of the site in contributing to the regeneration of the town centre, as well as the need to provide an improved bus station and enhanced pedestrian links between the town centre, bus and railway stations.
Lancashire County Council has committed some funding to upgrade the bus station element of any scheme which has enabled the borough council to review the opportunity to redevelop the site.
It is considering a mixed use scheme that will contribute appropriately to the town centre, including a modern bus station.
On November 8 2016 the borough council’s cabinet agreed that steps be taken to secure a development partner to make proposals for consideration.
Uses should complement a new bus station and the wider area, including commercial, cultural, residential, employment and leisure uses.
The cabinet said that the director of development and regeneration would be in control of the bus station possibilities.
The regeneration should also be able to generate a financial return for the council.
Cllr Ian Moran, West Lancashire Borough Council leader and portfolio holder for economic regeneration, said: “I am delighted that progress is being made in this very important scheme for Ormskirk.
“The finished project will have a hugely positive impact on the town centre.”
Any future scheme would need to comply with the policies set out in the West Lancashire Local Plan and contribute positively to the town centre.
The open nature of a procurement process enables a variety of schemes to be put forward for consideration and for the most appropriate scheme for the site and Ormskirk to be achieved. The procurement exercise has been started but it will take several months to complete.