WHAT a waste of public money to even think of building a new bus station in Lancaster when there is a perfectly good one already.

All the present one needs is refurbishing.

The council should look at the original designs and try to restore it. It was built in the early 30s, I presume, in the art-deco design, the aim of which was pure, clean lines and purpose of design.

I lived in the country in the late 60s and had occasion to use the bus station pretty frequently at peak times and it was always reasonably clean and well organised. There was a tuck shop and news stand, toilets and an information bureau which was always manned with police and helpful people.

When the schools came out it was pretty noisy and crowded and the buses were often queuing to get into the station.

However, it was well organised with at least one inspector on, regulating the buses.

Things have quietened down now with so many cars on the road, there is not the same crush of people using public transport.

Like the Midland Hotel of the same period it only needs bringing up to its original state, which would cost far less than knocking down and rebuilding. I should imagine the architects fees alone would nearly pay for the refurbishment. And if the new design consists of a lot of glass then that is bad design to begin with. Within weeks the glass will be filthy with all the dust from the traffic and pollution from the buses plus the temptation to vandals. It would be interesting to know how much it will cost to knock the bus station down and clear the site, and how much the architects fees are for the new building.

R A Hargreaves

Wilson Grove

Heysham