SWG Group begins work transforming public transport links for people in Welshpool
Work has begun on the site in Welshpool to transform a current car park into an interchange bus and cycle station which will help improve the public transport links on offer for people across the area.
The project in Church Street, beside Welshpool Tourist Information Centre, is the idea of Powys County Council which got plans approved at the end of January - and work began less than a month later.
SWG has been contracted to change the use of the southern section of the public pay-and-display car park into a bus station with four bays and shelters beside them.
It is hoped the work will improve direct access to the centre of Welshpool as well as journeys within Wales and towards Shrewsbury. The site has also been carefully selected so it is easily accessible for both cyclists and pedestrians from the town centre and supermarkets.
SWG will be re-locating electric car charging points and carrying out biodiversity enhancement across the site in order to minimise pollution and reduce impact on the environment around the site.
We have also worked hard on the logistics of the project to maintain traffic flow, visibility and adequate water drainage throughout the work – including installing new surface water manholes, a carrier system and attenuation for surface water discharge.
Under the project, our staff and contractors will create a new entrance for buses and heavy goods vehicles on Mill Street.
We will reconfigure the access roads and upgrade the existing petrol interceptor as well as re-siting and providing bus stops, shelters and cycle shelters.
Along with this, the project will see new road markings, signage and street furniture.
This is a much needed boost to public transport not only for people in Welshpool but also those travelling in and out of the town and we are pleased to be able to bring this to life for the county council.
We think it will improve the access of many business people and tourists here.
When plans were approved Welshpool Mayor Councillor Alison Davies told the County Times: “This is the gateway to Wales. The bus station is between the train station and close to the centre of town it has its advantages for the town.
“We are very much aware of the importance of having a vibrant and relevant commercial centre in town centre; that has to be our focus.”
