The release below from Stoke-on-Trent City Council is embargoed until midday, but I think the news is too important to sit on. My ghast is well and truly flabbered. Read it yourself.
Ref code: 0104-2013
Contact: See contact details at the end of the press release.
New City Centre Bus Station
The City Council have approved emergency plans to demolish Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Bus Station.
The new £15m facility, which opened on Tuesday 26th March is to be closed on Friday 5th April at 11:20pm. Temporary bus stops are to be erected around the City Centre to accommodate the 22 departure bays. Highway officers and planning staff will be working throughout the night this week to ensure the changes are in place.
Dr Fay Pollios, Deputy Assistant Director of Technical Services said "Court action taken by unsuccessful Central Business District bidders, Builds4U, has revealed an oversight in the City Council's land registry. The grounds of the Bus Station, previously thought to be in Realis Estates' ownership are in fact owned by CBD developers GenR8. The site where the CBD ground works are currently taking place is the property of Realis."
Work will immediately begin on the CBD site to rebuild the Bus Station, and demolition shall start on Saturday 6th April at the city centre terminus. Building One, with its iconic ceramics-inspired design, and Building Two will open at the relocated CBD in Spring 2015. The rebuilt Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Bus Station is expected to be servicing buses from October 2014. The work will cost approximately £17m.
The City Council believes there will be no disruption to traffic or public transport around the city centre.
April 1st?
ReplyDeleteBrilliant April the 1st post,almost had me convinced Stoke-on-Trent actually exists.
ReplyDeleteBa-boom-tish!
ReplyDeleteYes, it must be a joke because no one at the council would have the sense to see what a white elephant the bus station is, or the fact there was nothing wrong with the old one. Hardly an aesthetic triumph, but it served the purpose of, erm, being a bus station well enough. What are those screens in aid of anyway?
ReplyDeleteI read this at first as : 'Stoke-on-Trent to be demolished'. As I was born there it rather caught my eye (my heart briefly lept with joy). Alas - it is only the bus station.
ReplyDeleteGood April Fool though!