Sudbury bus station set for improvements after council secures £250k funding

The project aims to create a safe, accessible and modern bus station that welcomes people to the town.

Enhancements will be made to existing facilities at the Babergh-owned site, in Hamilton Road, to better meet the needs of users.

Cllr Deborah Saw, Babergh District Council leader, said: “This is good news for Sudbury. We want to make the bus station a much better experience for residents, visitors and operators.

“We are looking at a range of improvements that might be possible within this funding, including to the waiting areas, passenger information, general layout to improve usability, safety and comfort, and toilet facilities. Our objective is to create a more welcoming environment and encourage more bus use.”

Detailed plans will now be developed, after which a work programme will be established to deliver the changes.

Babergh made the £250k bid for Bus Service Improvement Plan funding, which is administered by Suffolk County Council.

Alongside this, the district and county councils will also carry out a feasibility study to explore longer-term options for the bus station.

Cllr Saw said: “The new funding supports improvements which are desperately needed in the short-term. But we do recognise there is a more wide-ranging discussion about what we need from a Sudbury bus station in the longer-term. The feasibility study will cover all options – this could range from reconfiguring the existing site to a complete relocation.”

Cllr Patti Mulcahy, Suffolk County Council deputy cabinet member for highways and community infrastructure, said: “I am very happy that the Enhanced Partnership has been able to support Babergh District Council in its efforts to make the current site better for passengers.

“The more that can be done to rejuvenate local bus services and make them more attractive for passengers, the better it is for our towns and villages by freeing up road space and tackling congestion.”

The bus station investment is one of a series of initiatives for Sudbury.

Babergh recently committed funding for a new café and toilets in Belle Vue Park, which is also set to get a new toddler/junior play area with accessible path this year. There are also plans for a new climber, picnic benches and seating in the park - though these are all subject to a forthcoming bid for Community Infrastructure Levy funding.

Babergh has also earmarked funding to carry out work to Kingfisher Leisure Centre.

Cllr Saw said: “We have been clear about Babergh’s financial challenges, but we are continuing to work with our partners, such as Suffolk County Council and Sudbury Town Council, to put forward a powerful proposition for more investment in the town.”