Coach trip operators should use Rawtenstall’s new bus station to enhance its viability, Rossendale Council has been told.

The bus station opened in 2019 as part of the wider Spinning Point redevelopment of Rawtenstall town centre. It serves local Rossendale routes and others to Manchester, Burnley and Skipton. 

It was linked to the government Growth Deal funds and organisations including Lancashire County Council.

The building itself has eight bus stands, some retail units and a public gardens space outside. It is seen as an important part of the town’s redevelopment in recent years.

The covid pandemic was blamed for some delays in finishing utility connections to some of the retail units, which include food and drinks businesses.

But the potential to have long distance coach firms stopping there was raised at the latest full meeting of Rossendale Council.

During a question and answer session, Conservative Coun Anne Cheetham said: “What discussions have taken place with local coach firms regarding the use of Rawtenstall bus station to improve its viability?”

Labour Coun Alyson Barnes, the leader of Rossendale Council, said: “I think it has always been the intention to ask coach companies if they want to use the bus station or can they use the bus station? Clearly that will need to be done in close consultation with Transdev, which runs the bus station. But the short answer is, no, we haven’t. But yes we should and yes we will. We let you know the outcomes of discussions.”

Coun Cheetham added: “I like the thought that you will make a commitment to making an approach to coach providers. I do think we should start sooner rather than later because if you are discussing coach journeys, planning is usually done a good 12 to 18 months ahead.

“Thing also might be happening with the gyratory road system in Rawtenstall. Coach operators have been know to stop at the Shell petrol station to unload or stop on the other side from the attractive bus station. So I think this is something we need to look at soon.”

Labour Coun Matt Norton asked for an update on planned changes to Rawtenstall’s town centre gyratory road system.

Coun Barnes said: “Lancashire County Council is currently developing the details for that. Work will need to be done by March 2026. Some disruption will be inevitable but it’s paramount that it is kept to a minimum. Some work on outlying parts will be done in the autumn this year before the main work starts in 2025. We wait for more details.”