Worksop: Buildings come crashing down at new bus station site

Clearance works have begun and cranes on the site are now removing the remaining rubble after number 30 Watson Road was brought down.

Notts County Council denied that the adjacent building, number 34 Watson Road, cannot be demolished after speculation that it was a listed building.

A spokesman said: “It is being retained and will be used by contractors during construction.”

“At the roadshow we held recently people were under the impression that both buildings were listed but that’s not true.”

The new bus station will be located at the junction of Newcastle Street and Watson Road, on part of the Queen Street car park. It will use design elements used at other recently-opened council bus stations such as those at Retford, Newark and Mansfield.

Detailed design work is well advanced and features will include a staffed information point, toilets, seating, electronic information screens and CCTV.

Eight bus bays will be provided to cater for existing demand in the town but also allow for future growth.

“The county council has been working closely with bus operator Stagecoach and Bassetlaw District Council on the planning for the station,” the spokesman added.

“Once built, the running costs will be shared between the county council and Bassetlaw Council.”

In August the Guardian reported that construction work on the bus station had been delayed for the second time in 12 months with the finishing date now expected to be next summer. The news came as a big blow for the town and brought about a lot of frustration on social media.

Since then Wates Construction have been appointed as the main contractor and people of the town have been showing an interest in the work being carried out.

Raymond Wallace, of Prospect, said: “I do not know whether it is located in the right place but as it is being put here hopefully it will be good for everybody.”

And Notts County Council leader, Alan Rhodes, told the Guardian: “I am delighted that, after many years of waiting, Worksop is finally getting a bus station that is fit for purpose.”