Middleton Bus Station celebrates first birthday by becoming design icon

Middleton Bus Station

Middleton Bus Station has the look and feel of an airport concourse and has won a prestigious award for its design.

The station, which was opened by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) on 31 July 2005, received the Small Project Award at the 2006 North West Regional Structural Awards.

The £4.5 million facility replaced the 1970s bus station in Middleton which had become unpopular with passengers. The new bus 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.

GMPTE’s Acting Service Delivery Director, Michael Renshaw, said: “Middleton Bus Station has proved to be very popular with passengers since it opened last year and I’m pleased it can celebrate its first birthday with this award. It’s been designed so that people feel both safe and comfortable while they wait for a bus.

“We’ll only be successful in encouraging more people out of their cars and onto public transport if waiting facilities as well as services are improved. Middleton Bus Station is an excellent facility and I hope people will pay it a visit and give the bus a go.”

Middleton Bus Station was designed by Jefferson Sheard Architects. Tom Rhys Jones, Managing Director, added: “We’re delighted that the design for Middleton Bus Station has received recognition with this award.

“Accessibility was a priority for the project and the modern, open design aimed to create a safe and comfortable waiting environment while providing a focal point for the town centre.”

The bus station has 13 stands and more than 1,200 buses pass through it every day. It is monitored by 24-hour CCTV and supervised by GMPTE staff from 7am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 11am to 7pm on Sundays.

Passengers can get advice and buy tickets from a GMPTE Travelshop inside the bus station which is open from 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Public toilets are also available on the site.

Further information about Rochdale bus services is available at www.gmpte.com or by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608. Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends and on Bank Holidays. Textphone users should ring 0870 241 2216.