Peterhead transport interchange to undergo a programme of improvements during the summer
Peterhead’s transport interchange is to undergo a £250,000 programme of improvements during the summer.
Opened in 2007, the facility continues to serve as an important entry point to the town centre with both local town bus services and longer distance services operating out of the interchange.
Following recent concerns raised by members of the public and local councillors regarding the appearance of the site including the condition of footpaths and heavy corrosion to bus shelters, Aberdeenshire Council will undertake improvements from June 19 through till the end of July which are being fully-funded by Nestrans.
Works will include:
- General tidying including painting, road-lining and landscaping
- Repairs to barriers/bollards including some replacements
- Replacement bus shelters
- Installation of benches and planters
- Replacement cycle lockers
To enable works to be undertaken safely, the facility will remain closed throughout and some parking restrictions will be in place to accommodate temporary bus stopping arrangements being implemented by Stagecoach.
Meanwhile, following discussions with Peterhead-based brewers Brew Toon whose rear wall borders the site, a mural is to be commissioned with the input of local youngsters to offer an eye-catching splash of colour for bus passengers.
Cllr Dianne Beagrie, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee, said: “I very much welcome the forthcoming improvements works at Peterhead transport interchange thanks to funding from Nestrans.
“Through the addition of street furniture such as benches incorporated with planters, it provides additional outdoor seating and enhances biodiversity by increasing the presence of plants and flowers in addition to the introduction of a living roof on the shelters themselves.
“The improvements package will also focus on improving the wider aesthetics of the site to create a more pleasing environment for bus users and I’m sure the community-inspired mural will do just that.”
Ewan Wallace, Head of Environment and Sustainability Services, added: “The new bus shelters will comprise the new Aberdeenshire high specification standard with sedum planting on each roof, solar-powered LED lighting and low energy battery powered e-paper Papercast displays to provide passenger information.
“The solar powered lighting uses modern battery storage methods to charge the batteries in the most efficient way resulting in green energy that provides greater light output with lower power requirements.”
The temporary bus stopping arrangements will be as follows:
Buchan Express services Peterhead bound will divert via South Road onto King Street then take a right onto Windmill Street with the bus stop 15m from the junction with St Peter Street - bus stops will be missed on Kirk Street (x1) and on St Peter Street (x2) - as Aberdeen services will be operating normal route, customers requiring these stops can stay on the bus until it heads back to Aberdeen so will be able to alight at the Buchan House/Police Station bus stop on St Peters street.
Buchan Express services Aberdeen bound will be able to operate normal route but will start service from the temporary bus stop on Windmill Street then head along St Peter Street as scheduled.
Local services will divert down Prince Street, onto Back street (some already operate that route) then left onto Windmill Street with bus stops positioned adjacent to the Interchange, no bus stops missed.