Plans go in for bus station refurbishment

Plans have been submitted for the refurbishment of Rotherham Interchange, which was damaged by a vehicle fire in May.

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) has put forward proposals for the refurbishment of the bus station, supplementing one already approved for the car park above the Interchange.

The plans form part of the Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan, led by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC).

The Interchange was last refurbished in 1995 when it was extended and Frederick Street was pedestrianised as part of town centre improvements.  A shopping mall was also introduced at the main entrance linking the bus Interchange to the town centre via a weather protected environment, with new shops fronting onto Effingham Street.

SYPTE said: “The 1960s built car park requires life extending repairs and improvements to the customer offer and the bus fire at the Interchange in May 2016 necessitated further internal repairs and provided the opportunity to refresh the interchange.”

Work is expected to start in Spring next year and last for around 12 months.

“SYPTE and RMBC are currently considering the best option to minimise customer disruption whilst refurbishment works are ongoing.  Proposals are in place to fully close the interchange site to the public to allow the contractor unlimited access and to complete the works in the most efficient timescales,” SYPTE said.

“SYPTE and RMBC are progressing two parallel options to temporarily relocate buses following the closure – either across on-street bus stops or on the former Tesco site at Forge Island – the latter being the preferred option.  A decision is to be made on preferred option in due course.”