A NEW bus station for Lancaster is just one of the plans in a new scheme to further improve the city centre. City councillors decided earlier this week to submit a bid under the Government's new Capital Challenge scheme. That could mean more than £1.5 million worth of improvements for the city centre. The first two areas of Lancaster's three-pronged bid will be:

a rejuvenated bus station on Damside Street to replace the current 'worn-out' one.

the pedestrianisation of Church Street with improved pedestrian links to the bus station.

The project is intended to take cars out of the city centre and make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

In a report to the council's economic development committee, Charles Wilson, the city's director of development, explained the reasoning behind the moves.

He said: "The bus station in Lancaster provides totally inadequate facilities for the travelling public. Its renewal is essential if a diversion is to be achieved from car to bus.

"The pedestrianisation of Church Street will achieve a reduction in private vehicle movement, improve pedestrian accessibility to the bus station and lead to a regeneration of the many empty properties within the street."

The third area of the council's submission revolves around an innovative park and ride or park and walk scheme for the city based at the Kingsway Baths site.

Under the proposals, the spot would be used as a park and walk site for travelling commuters from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays a park and mini-ride service would be provided for shoppers.

Cllr Geraldine Smith, chairman of the economic development committee, said: "I think this idea will go a long way towards stopping people driving right across Lancaster and make things better than they are at present."

And Cllr Trevor Tattersall added: "This will stop people from getting stuck in the one-way system and take traffic out of the bottlenecks."

An official bid package will now be prepared, possible in conjunction with the county council and various bus companies, and sent to the Government.

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