PLANS have been approved to overhaul the bus station in Winchester city centre.

It has been agreed at Winchester City Council planning meeting that the former bus maintenance workshop would be demolished this summer.

Following demolition, there will be a reconfiguration of bus bays, footpath alterations, new shelters, lighting and seating and new real-time information boards to provide up-to-the-minute details on arrivals and departures.

It will also mean the re-routing of buses so they no longer pass through the High or Middle Brook streets and will instead go down Friarsgate.

The bus maintenance building, constructed in the 1930s, is not believed to be of architectural merit but it was agreed the structure would be photographed and recorded for historical record.

During the planning meeting city councillors unanimously spoke in favour of the scheme.

Cllr Ian Tait said: “Getting rid of this building is a positive, and taking buses out of the High Street is a significant improvement. I see this as entirely beneficial to Winchester.”

Lib-Dem Cllr Therese Evans said “We can’t keep the area in aspic forever. I’m totally in favour of the recommendations.”

Tory Cllr Eileen Berry said: “If we didn’t say yes to this we would be laughed out of Winchester. There’s a whole lot of people who are embarrassed by this horrible building. People have been crying out for this to happen. Winchester needs this badly.”

Also speaking in favour of the project was Cllr Caroline Horrill who said: “The council overwhelming supported purchasing the bus station. Being able to remove the buses from the High Street will enhance the safety to the public. The removal of the bus garage will enable us to investigate the creative use of buildings in the area.”

Speaking against the proposal was a member of the public, Judith Martin, who though an alternative use for the site should have been explored.

The work should take eight weeks to complete, beginning late July and ending in September.