2 August 2012
Plans have been submitted for a new £4m bus station in
Blackburn
Designed by Capita Symonds – on behalf of
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – the new station will be
situated in the heart of the town centre on the site of the former
market, adjacent to the town’s shopping centre and a new market
development.
The relocation of the bus station to the new
site will increase footfall outside the shopping centre and the new
market, while maintaining a direct link with the rail station and
the nearby cathedral quarter development.
The brief for the bus station has been
developed in conjunction with the future operators/managers of the
facility who expressed a desire for a striking yet functional
design that provides a safe and secure environment connected
directly to the pedestrian realm. The facility will contain
14 bus stands plus an additional three layover spaces, space for
public functions and community events, a café and retail kiosk and
a focal hub building.
The design is conceived as a light weight elegant canopy within the
centre of the town which sails over the concourse area. The two
storey hub building is positioned at the southern end of the
concourse and accommodates a travel information centre and
public/staff welfare facilities.
The outward facing elements of the building
are flat and orthogonal. In contrast, the underside of the
canopy is free flowing and consists of a number of glazed slots cut
in the canopy to allow daylight to penetrate onto the concourse
area. Directly below each of the slots is a hanging loop
which appears to be pulled down from the canopy to reveal a glazed
opening. The composition of these draws inspiration from the cotton
weaving looms, and drying cotton bundles, a reference to the town’s
industrial past.
There are four loop types (A, B, C & D)
which are arranged to alter the scale of the concourse and create a
rhythm of peaks and troughs along its length. Loop A is
designed to provide support to the whole canopy allowing the canopy
to appear as one floating unified element.
The station forms part of the Pennine Reach
rapid bus transport scheme which aims to improve public transport
connectivity within East Lancashire, reduce journey times, and
improve passenger facilities. The route, which covers 21
miles, will provide improved waiting facilities and passenger
information, bus priority measures, and innovative payment and
ticketing solutions.