Local community help shape design for new Sheringham Travel Hub

The local community have helped shape the design for a new travel hub in Sheringham, following a public consultation held earlier this year.

Revised plans released by Norfolk County Council today show an updated design for the area including a new-look bus shelter, with additional green spaces and seating.

The council is working in partnership with Sheringham Town Council and a number of local organisations to deliver the project in line with the feedback that was received.

Addressing one of the key concerns of residents, we have changed the design of the bus shelter to blend with the historic surroundings including adding architectural features from the North Norfolk Railway Building Local artist Colin Seal (who created the mural on the current shelter) will be working with  school children in the area to produce new artwork for the new shelter.

The new design includes more space for planting and bio diversity and Sheringham in Bloom will oversee the planting and maintenance of all green spaces, while the Sheringham Museum will develop an interactive timeline of the town's history that will be etched into the paving, preserving the town's history for visitors and future generations alike.

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said; "Projects like this show the importance of local consultation, and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to give us feedback. It has helped us to make some really important changes to the original design and create a space which we hope everyone who lives, works and visits Sheringham can be proud of and enjoy.

"We've changed the design of the scheme to ensure it is in-keeping with the historic surroundings and sought to maximise green spaces to ensure bio diversity is maintained.

"I appreciate that some  people would like to see money spent on other things, but our bus service improvement grant can only be used for improvements to our bus infrastructure - otherwise we lose it. The current bus shelter is inaccessible, with limited pavement space in an area of high footfall, so this redesign will create a safe and accessible space for all and support the growth of tourism in the town with additional facilities for visitors."

The Sheringham Travel Hub scheme will also include: 

• Real time passenger information
• Additional seating
• An area for storing or repairing bikes
• A water refill station
• And a wayfinding totem to aid visitors

Charles Sanders, Managing Director of Sanders Coaches, who provide several of the key bus routes serving the town said: "The location of the current shelter is very dangerous as waiting passengers are often in or too close to the road, with passing pedestrians also forced into the carriageway. I am very supporting of this scheme and very much welcome the additional changes that have been shaped by local residents. Once complete this new Travel Hub will will speed up travel for our passengers and provide an all-round safer and more pleasant experience for everyone using the area".

A start date for the work has not yet been set but is expected to be announced shortly.

Further information on the project is available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/sheringhamtravelhub.