Bus station remodelling 'could cut journey times'

Construction could begin on the £2m remodelling of Great Yarmouth's bus station in 2025

Plans to reconfigure a town's bus station and approach roads could help speed up bus journeys, a council said.

Norfolk County Council is consulting over £2m plans for the Market Gates Bus Station in Great Yarmouth.

Currently all bus services operate in a southerly direction, but plans could see one lane converted to northbound.

Construction works could begin in 2025 if the scheme is approved.

Some other routes will be diverted to use the town's new Herring Bridge from 26 May, improving journey times between the town centre and James Paget University Hospital.

The western lane of the bus station could be switched from southbound to northbound, shaving up to five minutes off some journey times.

The council said new bus stops would be created and crossing points added to neighbouring streets to improve traffic flows.

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: “Through our Bus Service Improvement Plan we’re committed to improving bus services and sustainable transport facilities across the county.

"This proposal represents another major investment in Great Yarmouth which seeks to build on the fantastic progress we’ve already made with the low fare cap and a number of new and enhanced bus services introduced across the region.

“Herring Bridge has already made a massive difference to traffic flows around the town and these proposals seek to capitalise on this shift to ensure our bus infrastructure is fit for purpose to support the future growth of the region with all of the wider investments currently being made."

New bus stops and pedestrian crossings would be added at the Market Gates Bus Station and on approach roads.

Some one-way streets would be reversed, allowing access to the new stops, with northbound buses now able to run through the bus station.

Also, cars exiting Market Gates Shopping Centre car park will be allowed to turn right onto Temple Road, which would relieve traffic on the Regent Road pedestrian crossing.

Norfolk County Council said reconfiguring the bus station could shave minutes of journey times

From Monday 26 May, First Eastern Counties services 2 and new route 3/3B will start using the Herring Bridge.

Piers Marlow, managing director of First Bus East of England, said: "We welcome this latest proposal to improve public transport across Great Yarmouth, brought forward by the Enhanced Partnership between the council and local bus operators.

"This scheme will be funded through the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan and is a significant step toward making bus journeys quicker and more reliable for our passengers.

“We encourage all residents to participate in this consultation and share their views on these important changes."

The survey is available on the Norfolk County Council website until Sunday 16 June.

Owing to the size of the area covered, hard copies will be available take from consultation sites:

• Market Gates Shopping Centre

• Great Yarmouth Town Hall

• Kingsgate Centre, Queen Anne’s Road

• Shrublands Community Café, Magdalen Way, Gorleston

• Great Yarmouth, Gorleston or Caister Library