Coaches to use new Warwick Bus Station
Coaches are soon to be using the new Warwick Bus Station, bringing thousands of tourists a year into the town centre and relieving congestion on busy roads.
Often coaches will drop off visitors in Jury Street or on Castle Hill to access hotels and visit Warwick Castle, but following a call from traders Warwickshire County Council has negotiated with many coach operators to instead drop people off at the bus station.
Sue Butcher, chair of the Warwick Chamber of Trade, said: “We are delighted the county has decided to allow coaches into the station. It is another vital step towards helping attract visitors into the town again.”
The move followed requests from the local Chamber of Trade and Town Centre Partnership it was decided that the stop should be made available to aid regeneration efforts in the town, particularly in the current economic climate.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “We welcome the opportunity to underpin any regeneration efforts in the town. We will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure both the needs of local residents and national visitors to the town are met following the introduction of bus and coach services to the town.”
The county council has made one of the bus stops available for coach drop offs in the town.
And the new visitors will be welcomed to a new look bus station now that the planting has taken place.
Seven large trees have been planted - six Himalayan birch and one oriental plane - and several shrubs, which will create year-round interest. They are an essential part of the bus station redevelopment and will have a considerable impact on the quality of the space, for those who use it as well as those who just pass through.
Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “It’s great to see the planting for the bus station has taken place.
"Allowing coaches to use the facility presents another opportunity to support the town centre businesses in the current climate as more people choose to take their holidays in the UK. This is a great way to complement tourism efforts for the town.”