Buses find new Way to Middleton station

Middleton’s award-winning bus station

Middleton’s award-winning bus station will soon be twice as easy to get to after transport leaders agreed to build a second entrance.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority delayed plans to construct an entrance off Middleton Way while work was taking place to extend the nearby shopping centre.

But councillors today agreed to fund the new entrance and work is expected to start on it early next month. It is due to open in the summer.

Speaking at today’s Policy committee meeting, Councillor Allen Brett, the Rochdale spokesperson and Vice Chair of the Passenger Transport Authority, said: “The new entrance on Middleton Way will make it much easier for buses to get in and out of the station.

“At the moment passengers travelling through Middleton may have found that their bus goes around the station twice before carrying on its journey – once to drop off passengers and again to get out.

“The new entrance will allow buses to enter the station on one side and leave on the other, after dropping off or picking up passengers. It should help to improve the reliability and journey times of services.”

Middleton’s £4.5 million new bus station opened in July 2005 and has proved popular with passengers. A survey carried out last year found that nearly fifty percent of passengers use the new bus station more than the one it replaced. And over a quarter think it has helped to attract more people to the town centre.

Last year, the bus station won a prestigious design award at the 2006 North West Regional Structural Awards. The station has a large open area, similar in design to a modern airport lounge, as well as extensive glazing and an eye-catching metal roof. It is staffed from 7am to 11pm, between Monday and Saturday, and from 11am to 7pm on Sundays.

Middleton Bus Station has 13 bus stands, automatic doors to all entrances and exits, CCTV, bright lighting and public toilets. There is also a Travelshop where passengers can buy a range of tickets and get free, independent advice on their journeys. The Travelshop is open from 8.30am to 4pm between Monday and Saturday.

Bus users can check their services before travelling at www.gmpte.com or by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 10p per minute from landlines). Lines are open from 7am to 8pm between Monday and Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.