COUNCILLORS have failed to back plans for a new drop-off and pick-up point at Bolton railway station – describing the proposals as ‘a massive missed opportunity’.

Town planners deferred a decision on proposals to demolish the former bus station concourse building and construct a new road on Newport Street.

Councillors heard the existing drop off area on Trinity Street is problematic and "often misused" causing congestion and danger with vcars stopping in the road to drop off and pick up rail users.

The new area would have 14 spaces, which would mean a net reduction in spaces as Trinity Street would not be used for that purpose and the current parking zone there would be replaced by a cycle lane.

The Bolton News:

The site for the new zone was used as the bus station until September 2017 when the new interchange opened nearby.

After this, only the taxi rank remained in permanent use with the bus station concourse and stands only being used for occasional rail replacement services.

The capacity for taxis on the new road area in the plans would be reduced from 12 spaces to 10.

The programme was proposed by Bolton Council, Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Cllr Nick Peel said the scheme was a “huge disappointment”.

He said: “When I heard about this I thought ‘oh brilliant, about time, this needed something doing’. When I saw details I was hugely disappointed, it’s a massive opportunity missed.

“One of the priorities for this interchange is the ability for drop off and pick up but this means a net reduction and fewer taxi spaces.

“By closing the area on Trinity Street it will only exacerbate the current situation.

“Even if it’s a cycle lane it will not stop cars pulling in on Trinity Street and it will be unenforceable from a highways position because as soon as a traffic warden approaches cars will move on.

“Currently there’s dangerous congestion on Trinity Street and this could have been an opportunity to double drop off and pick up spaces.

“The solution could be not to do the cycle lane down Trinity Street or in addition speak to TfGM about the three bus stands on Newport Street that are rarely if ever used.

“That space is needed to create more drop off and pick up spaces.

“If this goes through it will be a long, long time until we get another chance."

“Let’s take the opportunity to make this a better scheme.”

The application from TfGM, stated: “The area will be developed as a drop-off for the rail station for both private vehicles and taxis.

“This will enable the often misused drop off area on Trinity Street to be removed and a two way cycle track put in its place between the junctions, improving traffic flow along Trinity Street.

“This cycle track will then go through the newly developed interchange site and along Newport Street towards the town centre.”

Councillors unanimously voted to defer a decision on the plans and urged the applicant to revise the proposals before they deliberate on it again.