Coaches in Northampton on the move again?

[xydancer]

Well maybe.

The Northampton Chronicle & Echo reports that Northampton Borough Council has indicated that it would like to see bays for six coaches incorporated in plans for...you guessed it...the old Greyfriars Bus Station site.

Coach passengers are presently picked up in the wilds of Victoria Street - without facilities of any sort.

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/six-coach-bays-to-be-built-at-former-greyfriars-bus-station-site-in-northampton-1-7063773

Bays for six coaches will be included in plans for any new shops built on the former Greyfriars bus station site.

The measure, hinted at by councillors earlier this year, has been included in a brochure aimed at potential developers for the 24,000 sq metre site.

Although it does not mean the bays must be included, it would potentially see the coach stops with limited facilities at Victoria Street abandoned.

The brochure suggests there should be “incorporation of a small transport hub to provide a northern town centre gateway and retain easy access for passengers.”

An overhead plan included in the brochure - which has so far been requested by more than 100 different parties - also outlines the area offered for development...

 

[A0]

Well maybe.

The Northampton Chronicle & Echo reports that Northampton Borough Council has indicated that it would like to see bays for six coaches incorporated in plans for...you guessed it...the old Greyfriars Bus Station site.

Coach passengers are presently picked up in the wilds of Victoria Street - without facilities of any sort.

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/six-coach-bays-to-be-built-at-former-greyfriars-bus-station-site-in-northampton-1-7063773

It's not uncommon for Coach stations (i.e. for Nat Express) to be separate from Bus stations. There are practical considerations where coach users will want access to taxis / car parking for drop off / pick up which local bus stations tend not to have.

The area on Victoria Street was only ever envisaged as a temporary solution as I understand it. But it is right next to a car park and taxi bays - so it isn't a bad solution.

I speak as someone who at various times either dropped off or collected people who were using Nat Ex services from Greyfriars - and dropping off was an absolute pain in the arse. It's also why the new bus station IS NOT the right place for NX services either.