New Wigan bus station to open two months ahead of schedule
Bus services will start to use the new building on 28th October.
Last updated 10th Oct 2018
Transport leaders have announced that the new Wigan Bus Station will open more than two months ahead of schedule.
Following completion of the ÂŁ15.7 million project on the site of the old bus station on Hallgate, all bus services will use the new station from 8am on Sunday 28 October.
Buses will no longer run from the temporary stops in place around the town centre from that date.
Bosses at Transport for Greater Manchester say the fully enclosed concourse will have "improved waiting and ticketing facilities in a lighter, brighter and safer environment, along with better passenger information – including live bus departure screens".
Pedestrian links to the town centre have also been improved and covered cycle parking is available.
The station has been designed to be accessible for all, with step-free access throughout. For blind and partially sighted customers, there is tactile paving, signage and bus stand identifiers, as well as colour contrasting wayfinding lines across the site.
The building has also been designed to be environmentally friendly and includes roof-mounted solar panels which will provide around 15% of the bus station’s electricity.
Councillor Mark Aldred, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “We’re very proud to be handing over to the people of Wigan a modern, high-quality facility.
“Everyone involved on the project has worked hard to make sure that construction has moved on quickly and we’ve had valuable support from local apprentices, who’ve played an important role in making sure project deadlines have been beaten.”
Councillor David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council, commented: “There’s always a great sense of achievement when a project is completed ahead of schedule and I really look forward to the opening of the new bus station.
“This project will play a key part in delivering an improved transport system for the borough that is fit for the decades ahead and is in line with our commitment to supporting the economic growth of Wigan town centre.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The opening of a new bus station marks an important milestone for Wigan. It will provide a more attractive gateway to the town centre and people will be able to wait for their bus in a comfortable, safe environment.
“Wigan is already an exciting place in which to live, work and socialise, with many great shops, markets, restaurants and bars. This new development will play an important role in supporting further regeneration and making travel easier so people can access everything Wigan has to offer.”
Funding for the development has been supported by Central Government through the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal Programme.