PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 65
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
A COMBINED GARAGE AND BUS STATION.
A Fine Building Recently Opened in Weston-super-Mare by an Important Company.
ATOST of the important bus cornInzanies have established suitable stations at important points on their passenger transport systems for the benefit of the .travelling public. In some cases these are of quite an elaborate character, whilst, in others, they are simply shelters. Whatever the type of structure. employed, however, there is little question that the public appreciates the protection which they give and, in the case of the bus station proper, the facilities which are often available.
One of the finest bus stations of ite kind is that which has recently been constructed by the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co„ Ltd., Tramways Centre, Bristol, although, in this case, it is something more than a station for the use of passengers, inasmuch as it incorporates a spacious garage in its design. The new building has recently been constructed in Beach Road, Weston-super-Mare, and, by reason of its fine and well-proportioned frontage, which is carried out in white pre-cast stone, having the effect of white marble, is certain to command the attention of passers-by. The building is the first in the West of England to be built of this material on a large scale. .
The building was erected by the company's own building department, to the design of its staff architect, Mr. H. A. Penney,under the supervision of Mr. G. T. C. Edwards, the chief engineer. The frontage in Beach Road is 180 ft. long and the depth of the garage is 100 ft. An enclosed concrete area in front runs the entire length of the building and has an average depth of 40 ft., this being used by the company's numerous motorbuses which serve Weston-super-Mare and the adjacent districts.
As will be seen from the accompanying picture a number of petrol and oil pumps has been erected in the en
closed drive and it, therefore, also forms an up-to-date filling station.
A prominent feature of the station is a large three-dial clock, which is visible from a considerable distance. The dock is synchronized with six others in the building. The whole of the floor space of the building is practically unobstructed, and accommodation is provided for nearly 200 vehicles.
The offices are located at the front of the building and comprise inquiry and booking departments finished in teak, a commodious waiting-room, and general offices and mess-room accommodation for the staff. Toilet arrangements are also available for clients who garage their vehicles in the building. The
large main doors are of the latest pattern and fold and slide on roller bearings, their operation being easily effected by one man. The numerous large windows in the front afford an excellent. opportunity for the display of bus timetables and other notices relating to the company's activities.
The whole structure has been made as nearly fireproof as possible. The floor is built of concrete, the walls of brickwork and the roof of steel, this being covered with asbestos-protected
sheets. An automatic sprinkler installation has also been embodied in the construction, in addition to the usual fire hydrants, water and sand buckets and hand extinguishers.
The equipment of the building is particularly up-to-date, and the plant which has been installed is such as to enable the company to undertake every _class of repair as well as complete overhauls„ repainting and other work necessary with commercial vehicles.