Station: We're not there yet
A CATALOGUE of problems with Derby's bus station has been compiled by councillors just three weeks before its opening.
Members of Derby City Council's planning and transport commission went on a site visit to the new station to see its progress.
And they want a number of potential problems sorting out before it opens to the public on March 28.
They include:
Putting taxi ranks at the bus station so passengers do not have to cross from the station over the Morledge to the nearest rank;
Smartening up an unused piece of land by the entrance;
Installing a bike rack;
Properly sectioning off an unoccupied retail space;
Installing vending machines while waiting for the refreshments shop to open;
Bringing the Royal Derby Hospital shuttle bus into the station.
It has also emerged that there will not initially be an electronic system in the station telling people how long they have to wait for a bus.
The council said it was first waiting to see what real-time information systems were in place at neighbouring bus stations to make sure they were compatible.
Councillor Chris Poulter, chairman of the commission, said members were particularly concerned that no provision had been made for the hospital bus, which would continue to stop at the Spot.
"People coming from one of the suburbs wanting to go to the new hospital would have to go into the station on their service and then walk across the Morledge, up East Street and St Peter's Street to get to the Spot to catch the hospital bus," he said.
Mr Poulter added: "I can understand it not running at full capacity when it opens but it should be a transport hub and I would be looking for more services to be running from it."
There will be 29 bays at the station in total, 24 with direct access plus five outside bays for coaches.
Mr Poulter said he thought it was wrong that there was no taxi rank at the bus station and that people from coaches would have to walk through the station and cross the Morledge to find a taxi.
He added: "People have been waiting a long time for this station and it was important to look at it from a customer point of view, instead of from the viewpoint of someone who is so closely involved and focused on getting it open."
Tony Gascoigne from the council's transport department said many of the commission's points had already been picked up.
"There was never provision for a taxi rank within the station because there isn't the space but the taxi rank across the Morledge is clearly visible from the doors of the station," he said.
"The hospital bus was an issue we hadn't picked up on but we've been back to the hospital to see if they would like to reconsider and bring a bus in but they can't manage the service within the timescale. They also feel there are other services which provide opportunities to get to the hospital."
The commission will meet tomorrow to discuss their concerns with officers and make requests that the problems be resolved before the station opens.
27 Comments
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by Chris, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 11:22AM
“burtonftw says " I'm pretty sure that almost everyone would agree with that. all that claptrap about transition with the train canopies is because the train station is equally as bad".
We are all familliar with the the story of The Emporer's New Clotes by Hans Christian Andersen, here we have an Emporer who has been conned into thinking he has been presented with a suit made of such a fine cloth that he cannot see it. All of his sycophantic officials and courtesans dare not point out that he is naked for fear that others may be able to see the clothes and they would look stupid if they were unable to see the fineness of his "suit". So all agree with the Emporer, it took a young boy to speak out "but he aint wearing anything"!
I heard a young lad say to his guardian, whilst looking at the bus station, Mum that bus station is C**P"!
As the saying goes,"Sometimes from the mouths of babes, comes graet wisdom".”
by Angela, Derby
Monday, March 08 2010, 3:55PM
“This bus station was handed over last year, how come with three weeks to go the council now come up with a catalogue of work to be completed. Is this just a way of delaying the opening yet again?”
by Voltaire, man who knows everything
Monday, March 08 2010, 3:06PM
“Nothing but an eyesore.
Pull it down and get rid... along with all the myopics who 'work' in the planning dept.”
by Andy, Sawmills
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:46PM
“Whoever designed these buildings should be taken out and shot - Westfield, big grey box, New bus station, big grey bits jutting out box... all the architectural abilities of a paper bag with a cold. The signs should be changed on the outskirts to "Welcome to Derby, home of really bad buildings".”
by observer2, Derby
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:07PM
“It seems that the so called "Vision for Derby" is not that envisioned by 99.99% of local people or visitors.
Quite frankly, Pride Park looks far more attractive than the city centre these days...”
by Chris, Derby
Monday, March 08 2010, 1:33PM
“One disturbing effect I have noticed with the jagged glass end of this structure is that I've seen birds collide with the upper floor glazing. This is a common problem with such buildings as the view through the glass at this point seems to fool birds into thinking there is a clear run through to the oposite side of the building.”
by burtonftw, derby
Monday, March 08 2010, 1:23PM
“the bus station and the college building (the tin one) are bad, i'm pretty sure that almost everyone would agree with that. all that claptrap about transition with the train canopies is because the train station is equally as bad.
if all these building were traditional brick, they would look a whole lot nicer, but then they'd cost 5 fold the amount in material and labour, hence they are cheap flat pack c***.
i can't say as it bothers me too much as they are all public buildings, and the cheaper the better (though they could do these projects a hell of a lot cheaper if they stripped some beraucracy out and some management layers). if you do you best to avoid going anywhere near them (shop online for example) then they shouldn't bother you so much, unless you have to pass through or into one of the holes to get to work!”
by ramfangazman, Spondon
Monday, March 08 2010, 1:21PM
“I think (though i'm not 100%) that the bus station's ugly cladding (ie what makes it 'grey box') may have been as a result of having to cut costs. If you look at the original concept drawings, the building had a lot more glazing - the same shaped steel frame with quality reflective glazing would have been recieved really well by the masses in my own opinion.
it's a shame, I like my buildings and architecture, I can appreciate both and old and new and I can see the pottential that was here for the bus station but have to agree, it is an eyesore.
Derby College, however much it's relivent, is a fantastic piece of work in my oppinion.”
by Kelly, Mickleover
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:57PM
“I for one am dreading this new station coming into use. I just think with the layout and position it is going to be chaos getting buses in and out, long queues etc. And thats aside from the fact it is one of the UGLIEST buildings I have ever seen. Seriously who designs these buildings, it looks like a flat pack from Ikea.
I catch 2 buses a day to work and back so this will really affect my daily life, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will be an improvement on my commute at the moment, but not holding out much hope.”
by Friday yet?, Littleover
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:55PM
“At the end of the day the people will have the final say when they apply the X on a voting form, but the problem is there is no real people to vote for is there, just goons in rose tinted specs riding around on their fold up bikes thinking they are saving the planet!!”