Longton bus station revamp to reduce antisocial behaviour

A bus station is expected to be partly demolished in a bid to improve the site and reduce anti-social behaviour.

More than half of the canopy at Longton Bus Station in Stoke-on-Trent could be knocked down, reducing the site's nine bus stands to four, according to city council plans.

After the demolition, what remained of the station would then be restored with new lighting and upgraded CCTV.

The site has been the target of vandals several times in recent years, with episodes including £10,000 of damage to windows in June, which led to a man receiving a community order after admitting criminal damage.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said the work, carried out as part of the Safer Streets programme, would "significantly improve the location".

"We know from conversations with bus users that the current interchange continues to experience vandalism and antisocial behaviour," he said.

Ben Adams, Staffordshire's police, fire and crime commissioner, secured £820,000 for the latest Safer Streets programme which is tacking antisocial behaviour in Longton, Cannock and Tunstall.

The use of the station, built in 2003, has declined as a number of services now stop on Market Street.

"When it first opened it policed itself, because it was so busy," said Longton councillor Chris Robinson.

"But now only four stands are in use, and it's not a pleasant place to go, especially early in the morning or late at night, with broken glass on the ground and the lights not working."

The demolition works are due to take place in November and December, with temporary stops put in place.