Bus station plans could be changed after public feedback

Alternative locations for Sudbury’s bus station will be considered after receiving feedback from a public exhibition in July.

Sudbury Steering Group, which was set up to help guide a number of projects in the town, is holding another public meeting on September 4, to discuss the feedback and work out the next steps for the project.

Earlier this year the steering group chose option seven as their preferred plan for the bus station, a move that would have seen the station removed and instead two hubs in Girling Street and Great Eastern Road built.

In July the steering group held a public exhibition to explain its support of the twin-site option and to hear residents’ views.

As a result, the Steering Group, whilst still advocating option seven as its preferred solution, has also agreed to give further consideration to option four - where the bus station would be relocated off Station Road near to the Kingfisher Leisure Centre - and possible variations between the two.

Steering Group Chairman Simon Barrett said: “All of us on the Steering Group would like to thank each and every resident who responded to the recent public exhibition.

“Those who responded can see we have listened and instigated work to research the questions they have raised. I hope this will help them realise their responses to the public engagement make a difference and help shape the Sudbury’s future.”

Recently the Steering Group has been speaking to Suffolk County Council’s Highways Department with a view to their engineers working up some interim transport information regarding the impact both option seven and option four would have on Sudbury’s roads.

The group has said it will work with local councils and others to address other issues raised by residents including that of the impact of the loss of any parking spaces should either of the options be implemented.

David Holland, vice-chairman of the Steering Group, added: “A recent letter in a newspaper spoke of inertia with respect to the development of Sudbury. The Steering Group exists to end inertia and with the publics’ continued input, we can help steer Sudbury toward a better and more vibrant future. Moving the bus facilities to the right location is just a small part in delivering that better future.”

The September 4, meeting of the Sudbury Steering Group begins at 4pm in the Mayors’ Parlour at Sudbury Town Hall. Residents and others are welcome to attend.