Town bus station is ‘shameful’

Spalding bus station was branded ‘disgraceful and shameful’ as calls were made to improve it.

Resident David Jones argued the least the facility off Winfrey Avenue should have was complete and up to date time tables of buses at last week’s meeting of Spalding Town Forum.

“I was thinking what it’s like if you arrive in Spalding on a bus as some people do,” he said. “It’s a pretty desolate place.

“There must be some way of making it a bit more interesting for those arriving.

“A pictorial map of the town centre would be a great idea.

“Just something to make it look more welcoming, as if Spalding wants people to be here.

“It falls between two stools, the district council and county council,” he said.

“The latter is very much lacking in providing time tables.

“There’s not a single time table except for Delaines who only use the bus station once a day now as they use Springfields instead.

“The other bus companies need shivying to provide timetables.

“They’re available on every single bus stop in town, except the bus station.”

In November last year South Holland District Council completed £124,000 resurfacing work at Spalding Bus Station.

Coun Christine Lawton called for Lincolnshire County Council to do more branding the bus station “disgraceful and shameful”.

“It looks better than it did but I’d like to have proper bus shelters, the way they do with the electronic time tables on them,” she said after stating bus timetables are available in the town but at the Victoria Street library. “At the moment we’ve got a second rate bus station with some first rate roads.

“What’s above the ground is not very impressive.

“It’s about the horrible nature of vandalism.

“When I was dealing with this some years ago we wanted different perspex so they wouldn’t be vandalised and we were told certain types couldn’t be used because if you threw bricks they’d bounce off and hit others.

“I don’t think we should give into vandalism though.

“There should be signage but I think the most important thing is getting more bus services in.”

A spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council said: “

“Spalding Bus Station is owned and managed by South Holland District Council whilst the information about bus services that people can see at the bus stations across the county is looked after by the Local District Councils. 

“The relevant information is supplied and installed in collaboration with the bus operators who utilise the bays whilst Lincolnshire County Council is responsible for bus stops that people will see and use on the actual routes throughout Lincolnshire. 

“The timetables in Spalding were last updated at the end of January 2023 along the route of the into town services. LCC has recently offered to supply a display case to South Holland District Council for composite timetable and signposting information.”