The Bus Users' Group has been involved in a number of issues concerning Lancaster Bus Station and how it can be improved.
Accessibility Audit
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| BUG Members Abi Mills and Mel Guilding after the latest meeting at the bus station |
BUG members and City Councillors Abi Mills and Mel Guilding have initiated an Accessibility Audit of the bus station. This identified a number of areas requiring improvement to make the station safer and easier to use for all passengers. The audit looked at lighting and flooring, which were found to meet current standards. However the timetable information (departure lists) was found to be too small and situated too high off the ground for some users. Similarly, although two public telephones are provided, both are at a height that makes it difficult for wheelchair-users and there is no inductive loop system to assist the hard-of-hearing.
The station as a whole lacks a public address system as passengers who find that their bus is leaving from the wrong stand will confirm would be useful. Signage throughout the station also needs improvement, both in quality and coverage. There are, for example, no signs to indicate the location of the toilets and the toilets themselves lack an emergency call system. Although an adequate number of litter bins is provided and they are emptied regularly they ought to be relocated as at present they can be in the way of wheelchair-users waiting for their bus.
Following further meetings, also involving other BUG members with an interest in accessibility issues, the City Council, which owns the station, has now promised the following actions:
1. The Council is looking at the installation of a new signage system, using a black/yellow format (to improve visibility) including new signs to indicate the location of the toilets and better indication of the location of emergency exits.
2. Refurbishment of the toilets to bring them up to the standards of other public toilets in the city centre is now under consideration, although the installation of an emergency call system would only be considered if it became a legal requirement.
3. Although the design and condition of the flooring meets current standards and independent "slip-test" will be arranged.
4. The council will provide a defibrillator and is discussing possible locations within the bus station with Stagecoach.
5. Improvements to signing aimed at assisting visitors to the city arriving by bus are still being pursued.
Sticking Doors
The BUG has also, separately, been chasing the council to solve the problem of the doors to the bus stands, some of which have been stuck in the "open" position for many months, whilst one of the emergency exit doors onto Cable Street has been stuck "shut". Despite the obvious safety implications of these faults a number of promises of action have come and gone, whilst the estimated cost of repairs has increased.
The City Council latest dates for the work to be done are that it will start on 23rd April and be completed by "week commencing 17th May" although as 17th May is a Friday we are not quite sure what that means!
Wood Street Zebra Crossing
A third issue involving the BUG has been the condition of the Zebra Crossing at the Wood Street entrance to the station. The surface of the crossing having seriously deteriorated to the point where it became a safety hazard, the County Council eventually got round to resurfacing it. The new surface still left a lot to be desired, mostly that the "black and white" markings to indicate that pedestrians have priority, were not replaced!
BUG Member and local County Councillor, Gina Dowding has been chasing this up on the BUG's behalf as a number of "completion" dates have come and gone. The condition of the crossing remains unsatisfactory, but the BUG is on the case!