Starting in January, BCP Council will upgrade bus stops in Christchurch for better safety and accessibility for all users
Christchurch: Big changes are coming to the bus stops in Christchurch! Starting in January, BCP Council is rolling out improvements to make them safer and more accessible, especially for wheelchair users.
They’re replacing the old stops along the high street with shiny new stainless steel shelters. These will have glass roofs, comfy seating, and enough room for wheelchairs. Plus, raised kerbs will make getting on and off the bus a breeze.
To keep everyone in the loop, there will be electronic displays showing real-time bus info. And for safety, high-definition CCTV will be streaming directly to the council’s control room.
One of the stops getting a makeover is right outside the Christchurch Library. They’ll be swapping out the big planters for smaller ones to make it easier for wheelchair and pushchair users to access the buses. More benches are on the way too, which is always a plus!
Cllr Andy Hadley, who’s in charge of climate response and environment at BCP Council, is excited about these changes. He mentioned that it’s a great investment in improving the pedestrian experience in the busy shopping area.
Thanks to a government grant, the council is able to fund these upgrades. They secured £8.9 million to enhance bus services across the area.
Andrew Wickham, the managing director at Morebus, is also on board with the improvements. He believes these changes will make bus travel more appealing, encouraging more folks to leave their cars at home and hop on the bus instead.
