The design for the new bus station at Loosing Hill, Hexham is available to the public for comment here. The design includes an indoor waiting area for the public and explains how buses will enter and exit the site. The plans show that 49 car parking spaces are also to be designed into the site making this a very busy area.
While this may not be the site that many wanted for the new bus station (over 10,000 signed a petition to keep it on the original site) the land at the old bus station has now been sold and a developer is looking to build a shopping area and flats. Hexham now must get the best design possible at Loosing Hill.
Councillor Derek Kennedy has been reviewing the plans on behalf of local residents and said “The plans for the new bus station on the Loosing Hill site, leave a lot of questions unanswered. Particularly, I had envisaged that there would be a zebra crossing or similar to cross the Corbridge Road as you walk to M&S. You will need eyes in the back of your head to get across this road safely. I am asking the county council to re-think the plans there are a lot of old people who will use the new bus station their safety must be taken into account. Come on county council we need a better design than this. I am encouraging residents to look at the plans and provide their comments to the council as soon as possible.”
The Hexham Civic Society have criticised the design also.