Leicester City Council has confirmed that their new net zero bus station is set to open and be ready to use from Monday (27th June), with National Express coach services to return the week after.
Replacing the former building, constructed in the 1980’s, the multi-million-pound project is not only set to be a “striking gateway into the city the centre of the city” but will also help the council meet their net zero targets, as the carbon cost of the building has been reduced by almost 200 tonnes. A glazed concourse will provide more natural lighting, whilst the curved roof that will be home to 390 photovoltaic panels that will provide renewable energy for the station.
Adam Clarke, Deputy City Mayor and leader on environment and transportation, said:
“The new St Margaret’s Bus Station represents an ambitious and important step forwards in our efforts to become a carbon neutral city. We believe that this is the first net zero carbon bus station building in the UK.
It shows our commitment to decarbonising our public buildings and will build on our work to promote sustainable transport and help improve services for bus passengers in and around the city, through our new Leicester Buses Partnership with local operators.
You can’t help but notice what a positive difference this investment has already made to the area. We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to the St Margaret’s Bus Station and into this striking new net zero carbon building when it reopens in a few days’ time.”
The project cost £14.3 million and is part of the St Margaret’s Gateway regeneration project, with £10.5 million being provided from the government’s Getting Building Fund.
As part of the redevelopment, there have also been improvements to the footpaths and roads next to the bus station which include new and improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, safer crossings, new landscaping, and tree planting to increase green space.
