Work to start on St Budeaux transport hub

£1.2 million for improvements

Long-awaited works to enhance St Budeaux as a £1.2 million transport hub to make it easier for people to get around the city will start in the next week.

The project, which has faced a year-long delay, will be completed by the end of June and will include new bus shelters, better footpaths, lighting and seating areas, a Beryl Bike (bike and e-scooter hire scheme) hub, new cycle parking and signage.

With St Budeaux Square’s location on key bus routes and proximity to rail services, the aim is for it to become a sustainable transport interchange connecting commuters from Plymouth, South East Cornwall and West Devon with employment and healthcare opportunities in Derriford, the city centre and waterfront.

Real-time passenger information (RTPI) displays and public toilets will be installed at the same time, replacing those closed on Wolseley Road during the pandemic.

It is being paid for by £51 million awarded to Plymouth from the Department of Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, which supports projects that reduce congestion, improve air quality and invest in sustainable transport.

After a public consultation in 2021, the former Conservative administration planned to start construction early last year, but it was  dogged by contract price increases, issues over the supply of materials and labour constraints.

Bus shelters were removed in preparation, but temporary ones have been installed recently by the new Labour-run council after complaints from the public.

At a recent cabinet meeting about how long they would be in situ and the cost, Cllr Mark Coker (Lab, Devonport), cabinet member for transport, said the shelters could be reused anywhere on the network once they are no longer needed at St Budeaux. Each of the two shelters are priced at £1,100 with the total cost including installation coming in at £7,400.

The former Conservative administration had approved a controversial plan to replace or remove bus shelters across Plymouth last year. It said cutting more than a third of the 600 shelters would create additional income.

Cllr Coker said the St Budeaux interchange project was good value for money. “We want to make it easier for public transport to link up within the city and for people to access buses, trains and bikes. The scheme will also rejuvenate St Budeaux Square,” he said.

Traffic management plans will be in place during construction period and “unavoidable and temporary traffic disruptions” around the area are expected.

More details and updates can be found online at https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/st-budeaux-interchange