New safety measures set for bus station

New safety measures are being installed at Longton Bus Station in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area

New safety measures are being installed at a bus station in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

Longton Bus Station is set to get new lighting, seating and CCTV equipment to make the area safer and improve the look of the station, Stoke-on-Trent City Council said.

Part of the existing canopy, which covers all nine stands, is also being removed to create more open space and improve visibility.

One councillor said they had been aware of problems in the area including disorder and criminal damage.

The work has been carried out in partnership with Staffordshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

It has been funded with £46,409 of government funding as part of the Safer Streets programme.

Information boards displaying real time passenger information will also be installed in the new year as part of the work.

Councillor Majid Khan said: "We are aware of some of the problems which have been reported in this area including dangerous driving, disorder, vandalism and criminal damage and we believe that these improvements will go a long way to combat these issues."

A separate package of improvements is also being planned in the near future, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government.

The work will include improved pedestrian links between the bus station and the neighbouring retail park, market and surrounding businesses.