Bus station may face closure because of cuts

Bridgend bus station could be closed because of budget cuts

Budget cuts of an expected £16m could result in the closure of a town's main bus station and public toilets.

The station and toilets on Quarella Road, Bridgend, have been identified as possible areas where money could be saved.

Some fear it could cause lasting damage to the town.

Bridgend council said these are draft proposals that still need official approval and public consultation.

The plan comes alongside other proposed measures, including a 5% cut to school budgets.

Closing recycling centres an extra day over the weekend, and a 9.5% council tax increase are also being considered.

Bridgend's proposed 2024-25 budget is almost £360m.

This is an increase on last year's figure, but officers said it was less than the rise in inflation, and did not cover the cost of increased service demands.

A report to be presented to councillors this month said the closure of the station could result in a £100,000 saving for the 2025-26 budget.

But it warned that it could have a detrimental impact on residents and air quality.

The document highlighted the impact on regional transport and the council's reputation.

Councillor Nathan Deere said if the closure went ahead, it would affect residents and traders who rely on the buses for customers.

The only public toilet, he said, was at the bus station.

"It's not really a great advert to say to people you can visit Bridgend on the bus, but we will drop you off somewhere outside of the town, and when you get here you can't use the toilet," he said.

Councillor David Unwin said: "Whatever savings they think they can make are totally insignificant to the lasting damage it will do to bus travel and the prosperity of the town centre."

The proposal comes after residents in nearby Maesteg spoke out about the lack of "lifeline" services that had left people cut off in the town, as well as across the wider area.

Bridgend council said no final decision will be made before it can establish what the "long-term future" of public buses looks like following expiration of government grants.

It added: “A 10-year masterplan was also previously announced for Bridgend town centre and as part of this a new integrated transport hub could be located towards the rear of Bridgend Train Station. Bus stops will also continue to be located throughout the town centre.

“The current site of the bus station is also marked as a ‘flood zone’ and there are no plans for future development," it said.

The budget proposals will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 16 January, with a decision expected in February.

The council said it is prepared to make "hard and unavoidable decisions" to ensure funding is used effectively following national financial challenges to local authorities.