News MBC invites you to have their say on the new look Bus Station

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), is inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say on the proposed new look Town Centre Bus Station.

As part of this, the Council has launched a consultation process to engage with the people who use the facility asking them for their thoughts around how they would like the new bus station to look and work for them.

MBCs Head of Regeneration and Economic Development said:

“This is a great opportunity for everyone who uses the bus station to tell us what they think about the proposal to improve it.  We would really like to gather their thoughts and welcome all feedback through this public consultation.”

The consultation was launched by MBC on Wednesday 22 July and will continue until 16th September 2020. Full details of the proposed plan can be found on the Council website, where anyone who would like to comment can complete a short online survey:  www.maidstone.gov.uk

Mr Foster continued:

“Currently, Maidstone’s main bus interchange is located at The Mall Chequers Shopping Centre and quite frankly is neither welcoming nor user-friendly. It is not well lit and is threatening in character being essentially a tunnel under the Centre linking King Street and Romney Place.

“The proposed new look will modernise the area and will contribute to increase the vitality and viability of Maidstone by improving its overall image as a modern and well cared for place with excellent public transport facilities.”

Part of the MBC Town Centre Bus Station proposed project includes:

• Cleaning of road and concourses
• Opening up the concourses to provide more light
• Replacement of lighting fixtures throughout the station with a new lighting system designed to make the station safer, brighter and to maximise efficiency
• New colour scheme throughout
• New flooring and soffits to the concourses
• Refurbished canopy to the east concourse
• Addition of new wayfinding signage and information systems across the station, including new signage at the north and south entrances
• Public Art

The proposed improvement work to the Bus Station reflects one of the Council’s Strategic Objectives - ‘A Thriving Place’.  The identified action will be delivered between 2019 and 2024 to modernise the area in the County Town.

The Maidstone Town Centre Bus Station project has confirmed funding of £1,000,000 from Maidstone Borough Council, plus £30,000 each from KCC, Arriva and Capital and Regional (owners of The Mall shopping centre). The total budget is therefore £1,090,000.

Any questions regarding the consultation should be sent to:   consultation@maidstone.gov.uk

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