Published Wednesday 4 May 2016 at 15:22
Veteran bus driver, Frank Atkinson was guest of honour at the opening of Blackburn’s new state of the art bus station.
Frank who has been a driver for 46 years and currently works for Transdev bus company cut the ribbon to declare the new bus station open on Sunday, May 1.
The transport hub opened its doors to welcome passengers from 8am and the first 100 visitors who arrived were given a £2 voucher for Blackburn market and a hot drink and a Danish pastry from Blakeys Express, the new retail pod that will be operated by the popular King Georges Hall cafe.
The bus station which has 14 stands, is staffed from the departure of the first bus in the morning until the last departure at night and customers can purchase tickets for travel and get information on planning their journeys.
It is 10.5 metres wide, 90 metres long and enclosed in full height, frameless glazing which is supported by six sculptural loops inspired by the cotton weaving looms of Lancashire’s industrial heritage.
The bus station is the cornerstone of the £40m Pennine Reach scheme, which has been funded by the Department for Transport and is being jointly delivered by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council, the highway authority for Hyndburn.
The scheme aims to make it quicker and easier to travel by public transport and access work, leisure, shopping and education facilities from within and outside Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn.
Harry Catherall, Chief Executive for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Blackburn town centre has seen a multi-million pound regeneration in recent years and the bus station is at the centre of that.
“It will welcome visitors to Blackburn and send out the message that this is a place that is thinking wider, bigger and bolder in everything it does.”
The bus station has five digital screens available for advertising opportunities. Contact Richard Stoddart for more information on 01254 565551 or email richard.stoddart@blackburn.gov.uk