A £2 million project to create a new Travel and Community Hub in Hunstanton is in the final stages with work set to start next year.
The new-look bus station and library space in the Westgate site will enable residents, tourists and those who use the town to access services, to travel more easily, mix up their travel options with cycling and walking infrastructure combined with public transport, Norfolk County Council has said.
And an improved library will include access to adult education and tourist information – alongside space for community groups and outreach.
Graham Plant, county council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: “We know that one of the biggest challenges for people who want to take public transport more often is onwards journeys: this new-look Hunstanton Bus Station answers those problems by bringing cycling and walking infrastructure right to the doors of the bus.
“With a library and other services right in the same place, it makes greener, more sustainable travel a real, viable choice for service users and visitors to this beautiful part of our coastline.”
The project includes the refurbishment of community toilet facilities, more green space and a pedestrian crossing.
Andrew Jamieson, county council cabinet member for finance, said: “This new hub won’t only bring together public transport, cycling and walking, it will also put the community’s library and the services it offers right at the heart of Hunstanton, easily accessible and on hand for anyone arriving in the town.
“I’m delighted that after much hard work we’re now able to make this vision a reality for Hunstanton, and I hope we will be able to bring truly, conveniently integrated transport and services to other towns in Norfolk in future.”
The project is estimated to cost the county council £2m – with £1m being funded through money received from the Department for Transport, for Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, and the other million from the council’s capital fund.
The hub will become a destination for both residents and visitors who will be able to take public transport along the coast, find information on walking and cycling routes, take part in a library activity or find out local tourist information – where to go and what to do locally.
The project is being run by the council’s communities team, which will work with partners to deliver the hub.
Some early concept designs of what the site could look like have been produced but these are not final designs.
Detailed designs will take place from this month, with final designs expected by next spring and work on the site planned from September 2024 to avoid disruption during the busy summer season.
Planned completion of the project is spring 2025. Work to be carried out includes refurbishing the former library building to create a welcoming community space, refurbished toilets with a new Changing Places toilet, long and short stay cycle parking, new bus shelters and improved street seating.
