Where will buses go if Bracknell bus station is demolished?

Bracknell Forest Council has unveiled a ‘masterplan’ designed to completely transform the area outside Bracknell train station. Under the council’s vision, the large bus station would be replaced with a market square connecting the train station with The Lexicon.

But leading councillors acknowledged that residents had concerns that it would be harder to change buses or find stops, when they discussed the plans on Tuesday, March 19.

Councillor Helen Purnell said: “I know there was a lot of concern about the bus station and how changes would affect the layout and the feasibility of getting one bus and then another bus.”

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Andrew Hunter, the council’s chief executive for planning, place and regeneration, said bus stations would be built around a looping road in the south of the town centre.

He said: “There will be bus stops and shelters on the roadside around a looping area. Alongside that there will be layover space for buses so when they finish their round and the drivers take their break there’ll be an opportunity for that.

“The intention is it’s a looping system so it will still be focused at the southern end of the town based by the train station and creating a hub for public transport in that location.”

He added: “There will be far more facilities for the drivers to use because they’ll be in amongst the town centre, with somewhere to get something to eat, somewhere to go to the toilet and all those sorts of things.”

The bus stations would be placed around the black line, in Bracknell Forest Council's masterplan to build a new 'market square' (Image: Bracknell Forest Council)

The plans are part of a broader vision for the next phase of Bracknell town centre’s regeneration. This also involves replacing the disused High Street car park with a ‘new neighbourhood,’ and revamping the area around Bracknell Library and Easthampstead House.

If approved, the masterplans will become part of council planning policy. That means that developers who want planning permission to build on those sites will need to show their schemes match with the council’s vision.

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The council is set to give residents a chance to view and comment on the plans in a public consultation. This will include a staffed exhibition in the Princess Square shopping centre after the Easter holidays.

Councillors on Bracknell Forest’s leading executive committee said this would give residents the opportunity to shape the future of the town.

Guy Gillbe – the councillor responsible for planning – said: “We want residents’ views on the proposals so we can shape the final masterplan.

“I highly, highly encourage all residents to feed back their thoughts for us to consider.”