Leicester's Haymarket bus station revamp plans submitted

The city council hopes that if plans are approved work could start next summer

Plans have been submitted for a £13.5m revamp of Leicester's "unpleasant" bus station.

The work at the Haymarket bus station will include additional stands, a new concourse and changes to make the area outside "more attractive".

A bid for funding has also been submitted to the Department for Transport.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the work would still go ahead even if the government funding was rejected.

'Deserve better'

"Over four in 10 people that come into Leicester come by bus and end their journey near the station," said Sir Peter.

"What faces them is something that is unfit for purpose, it doesn't work for the drivers and operators and it's certainly not a pleasant place for the passengers, and they deserve better."

The full designs will be considered by Leicester City Council in February. If approved, work could begin next summer and take 15 months.

Stephen Zanker from operator First Bus Leicester, added: "The plans look good and we welcome investment in the city but we will have to go through a fair amount of disruption to make things better."

The city council said it was negotiating with six businesses next to the station about relocating in order for the expansion to happen.