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Buses set to arrive – at last

Ava Soe
28/ 7/2005

SUNDAY will mark the long-awaited opening of Middleton's new bus station, which was orignally scheduled to start operating "in early spring".

The facility, which has cost £4.5 million, will provide 13 bus stands, giving access to 25 services, allowing passengers to travel as far afield as Fleetwood and Blackpool, or places closer to home, such as the Trafford Centre. As well as a new Travelshop, bus users will have the benefit of new public lavatories and CCTV.

The station, which has been funded by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), will be staffed from 7am until 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 11am to 7pm on Sundays.

Management of the station will be the responsiblity of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE). Its deputy director general, Geoff Inskip, said: "I know the new bus station is something which people in Middleton have wanted for some time and I am grateful to them for their patience while the work has been taking place.

"The station will be of massive benefit for local passengers and I am sure it will play a significant part in the overall regeneration of Middleton town centre.

"We will have additional staff on duty for the next few weeks to assist passengers with queries and I we are encourage people to visit the station to find out what services are available to them."

Information leaflets giving details of services are currently available on buses and at the temporary travel shop at the front of the Middleton Shopping Centre.

The station will be officially opened by Transport Minister, Karen Buck, some time in the near future.