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Preston's new bus station--Europe 's biggest?
Page 65
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• A bus station that may well rank as the largest in Europe is due to be officially opened by Lord Stokes on October 22 at Preston, Lancs. The new six-acre site in Tithebarn Street, the location of the existing Ribble station, will be put to some operational use prior to that date.
The main hall which is 50ft long and about 80ft wide, has a central island which the buses will approach nose on. All passengers facilities are located on this island arid pedestrians will not be allowed on the vehicle apron. Its stands for 80 buses will provide for all the requirements of Preston Corporation Transport and Ribble Motor Services Ltd., and will permit a dozen spaces to be made available for other public transport undertakings. Some indication of the size of the station can be obtained from the fact that a multi-storey car park over the top, consisting of four floors and a roof, will provide parking for 1,100 cars.
The building will house the entire corporation transport administrative offices and the Ribble town traffic office. Facilities are to include a refreshment room, kiosks and small shops. Pedestrian subways will link the station to the Civic Hall shopping precinct and the St. John's shopping centre. A third subway will lead to the west side of Park Road. Within the main concourse will be waiting rooms, toilets, nd left luggage office. There will be a taxi stand at one of the entrances.
With the completion of a new town centre focal point for buses and coaches there would appear to be a strong possibility that existing kerb-side picking up arrangements will be withdrawn. Operators who wish to use the station regularly have been offered the opportunity of making arrangements to occupy a permanent stand, the rental being forecast as £370 a year including rates, the cost of any booking accommodation if required being extra. Charges for occasional use are likely to be 3s for up to 30 minutes, 10s for up to six hours and £1 for up to 12 hours. A canteen is to be prcvided for the use of transport employees.
Work on the station, which forms an important segment in Preston Corporation's central redevelopment scheme, commenced in the spring of 1968.