Work to demolish Exeter's former bus station begins

Demolition work is now being carried out at the old bus station in Exeter

Demolition work to remove Exeter's former bus station has begun, the city council has confirmed.

The delayed works will see the post-war buildings demolished by local contractor Wring Group.

Asbestos is due to be removed from the site in Bampfylde Street over the next few months, the city council said.

It said the area was expected to be redeveloped. The former bus station was replaced by a brand new glass-fronted facility in July 2021.

'A real eyesore'

The council previously said it hoped demolition of the former bus station would have started in 2022.

Former bus driver and Exeter City Council Leader Phil Bialyk said the council had faced challenges in "securing contractors".

Mr Bialyk said: "It has taken us longer than originally planned to get to this stage.

"Although we had a budget in place, it has proved challenging to secure contractors in the current climate."

Despite the delay, Mr Bialyk said he was "delighted" that work to demolish the "eyesore" building was under way.

"We are continuing to examine how best to use the site in the short-term ahead of the longer-term redevelopment of the area," he said.

"The old building has now become a real eyesore and has attracted some antisocial behaviour so I am really pleased that work is now under way to demolish it."