Temporary bus station gets go-ahead (From Stroud News and Journal)

Temporary bus station gets go-ahead

BUSES are expected to roll in to Stroud's controversial temporary bus at the end of November, despite vigorous campaigning from bus travellers who have begged Stroud District Council to think again.

On Thursday, SDC approved the cabinet's proposals to build the temporary station in front of Rowcroft Medical Centre, Merrywalks to make way for a cinema complex

As the News & Journal revealed last week, the temporary station is expected to cost almost £500,000 over two years - an integrated transport interchange is not expected to be built at Cheapside until 2004 at the earliest.

Bus station campaigner Graham Stanley arrived at Ebley Mill on Thursday by bus, in the hope of ramming home his argument that the temporary six bay bus station will not work.

SDC chief executive David Hagg asked Mr Stanley to move the bus because it obstructed a disabled bay in Ebley Mill's car park.

"He was quite cross," said Mr Stanley. "But it showed how difficult it is to manoeuvre a bus around a car park, like the one at Merrywalks."

Mr Stanley put several questions to SDC cabinet member for economic development and leisure, Cllr Nigel Studdert-Kennedy (Con, King's Stanley).

Several appalled opposition members believed Mr Stanley was not treated with the courtesy that a member of the public, and tax payer, deserves (see letters page).

Cllr Studdert-Kennedy said he was limited in what he could tell Mr Stanley because much of what he wanted to know was confidential.

"It didn't bother me," said Mr Stanley. "I just wanted to speak up for the bus station users.

If all SDC's plans go ahead as planned, the temporary bus station should be up and running by the end of November.