A new bus hub has opened in Southampton city centre after 10 months of works.
The Albion Place bus hub opened for buses and passengers on Monday at the former site of the Castle Way car park. It was designed to enhance the city’s transport network.
The bus hub includes additional public seating – set in front of the city’s historic walls – new footways, and new islands, allowing more space for both passengers and buses.
Commenting on the new bus hub, passenger Spike Jewell said he was impressed by the upgrades made to the area.
The 21-year-old said: “I think it looks nice, and it should also help ease congestion around Westquay.
“I’d say it’s a good investment because I’m able to get a WIFI signal here and I’m able to track my bus, which is really helpful.
“I often travel to Totton and Lymington; I think the bus hub was a really good idea.”
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The Albion Place bus hub will be accompanied by a brand-new green space called Arundel Gardens that is set to open later in November, making it the first green space to open in the city centre for 60 years.
David Baylis, 89, said he thought the bus hub looked fantastic, as he watched work being completed on the neighbouring green space.
“I think the workmen have done a fantastic job, I think it looks really good,” he said.
“They've been working on it for many months, and it looks a lot better than before when it was just a car park.
“They've kept the historic walls and it’s a really nice backdrop.
“I noticed that they’ve kept the trees as well and are working on the park, which is all very good for the environment – I live up the road and walk past here twice a day, I have to say I’m very impressed.”
One passenger, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s an improvement but I think it’s 20 years too late.
“For a big city like Southampton, it should have a proper bus station like Portsmouth or Winchester.
“The old bus station was very good and it's a shame they got rid of it. You had a kiosk, an indoor area, proper bus shelters."
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