Plans to create a new leisure centre and bus station in Exeter take a step forward

Plans to create a new leisure centre and bus station in the city centre have taken a step forward.

Councillors last night (30 January) backed a recommendation which would see the current bus station continue to operate as normal until May.

Proposals to extend the length of time Exeter Bus Station can remain open during work to build its replacement were backed by the council’s Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board.

Councillors were told that following the decision of developer the Crown Estate to withdraw its plans to create a retail and leisure development at the site, it is now possible to keep the bus station fully open until May 2018.

And a number of bus services may be able to continue operating from the current location throughout the time it takes to build a new station and leisure centre.

Cllr Phil Bialyk, lead councillor for Bus Station Redevelopment, said: “I am very pleased that this long-awaited and much needed project is moving forward.

“These new facilities are desperately needed in Exeter and are long overdue, and everyone is working hard to ensure that they can be delivered.”

Exeter City Council’s Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board requested that the council’s Executive supports, and council approves:

• The bus station will not close by the end of February 2018. The decision as to when the bus station closes is delegated to the Chief Executive & Growth Director, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Health & Wellbeing, Communities & Sport.
• To proceed with the procurement of the main contractor / builder in accordance with the strategy outlined in this presentation.
• To proceed with placing orders as necessary to progress the enabling works for the Leisure Centre and Bus Station site.

The city council intends to retender for contracts to build the new bus station and leisure centre in the spring, councillors were told.

Contractors are expected to be appointed in autumn 2018, with the main construction works starting this winter. The new bus station and leisure centre are expected to open to the public in the winter of 2020.