Rhyl bus station to be given £1.5m makeover

Oct 1 2008 by David Rutland, Denbigh Visitor

RHYL’S dilapidated bus station is to be given a new lease of life thanks to a huge £1.5m facelift scheduled for early next year.

Currently known for its shabby shelters, pungent aromas and piles of rubbish, the area could soon live up to its nickname as the Gateway to North Wales.

Developments will include new and improved bus shelters, better car parking, a real time passenger information system and an open and modern layout which will “create a light welcoming environment for all passengers”.

There will be improved disabled access and the station will be linked into the national cycle network. The clock tower will also be moved. Work could start as early as January 2009 and be completed by September.

Cllr Joan Butterfield is delighted with the plans, but does not believe they will solve the station’s main problem.

“By and large it’s been well thought out, it’s attractive and it’ll give users confidence,” she said. “It’ll be cleaner and more accessible.

“The shelters are further towards the centre and it’ll be a lot more comfortable for people to use because it’s isolated.

“But I don’t think it will keep the drunks away. I don’t know what would do that and I can’t say that it would stop any problems. In the long term we’ve just got to make sure they don’t get a foothold there again.”

Changes to the way taxis queue are also expected to create problems.

“It will involve moving access to taxis in the side street,” said Cllr Butterfield. “They’ll now have to go right down to the bottom of Kinmel Street, then left and double back into the station area. It could put £1 or 50p onto the meter.”

Funding for the project is to come from the Welsh Assembly, TAITH and Denbighshire County Council. Public artwork will also be included to improve the visual appearance of the area.

david.rutland