Council Leader responds to Conservative criticism of new bus station

Peter Britcliffe's recent comments in the Lancashire Telegraph about the new Accrington bus station are perhaps not surprising and more than a little mischievous. Peter perhaps ought to be reminded of the strong support Hyndburn gave the County in getting the new bus station while he was leader and County Councillor.

Back in 2007 and 2008 Hyndburn fully supported developing the proposals for the bus station at Crawshaw Street. The Accrington Town Centre Masterplan  approved by the Council in July 2008 (now the adopted Town centre Area Action Plan) confirms Crawshaw Street as the new  bus station site.

It agreed the principle of selling  Council land needed for the bus station and fully supported the County at a planning appeal public inquiry against the Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a mixed development by the private landowners . The Inspector's decision fully supported the need for the bus station and the Council's decision to refuse this particular planning application dismissing the appeal in the Council's and the County's favour.

The Council accepted at the time the existing bus station was not fit for purpose and that it was not viable to redevelop the Peel Street site for a bus station which met current bus and passenger needs. Crawshaw Street was also chosen because of its relative proximity to the rail station and this was fully acknowledged in the Core strategy which went through most of its various stage while he was leader.

You may also remember the Council progressed a design competition (Pennine Squared) for the future use of Peel Street station as an attractive square. Obviously the cuts have meant HMR and other funding for this particular scheme is not possible.

Peter's memory may be failing him  and perhaps he is doing himself a disservice over the great support he and the then Council gave to the County in progressing the bus station proposals. He may have had reservations about other aspects of the PennineReach project, but the Council at that time fully recognised the need for a modern bus station to help the regeneration of Accrington town centre and that Crawshaw street was the only viable option.

To say the Council hasn't considered the impact on the shops is clearly inaccurate not only now, but back in 2008. Obviously the cuts make things a little more difficult, but we know why.

It is of great credit to Hyndburn and the County that the bus station is now at last coming to fruition.

Cllr Miles Parkinson
Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council