Work to refresh the clock tower at Bridgend Bus Station is due to start today as part of a Public Realm programme funded by Bridgend County Borough Council. The project will see the tower re-rendered after more than 20 years of exposure to the elements, forming part of the council’s wider efforts to improve public spaces across the county borough.
What the works involve and how long they will take
The council says the refurbishment is expected to take around four weeks to complete. To allow the works to be carried out safely, some temporary changes will be introduced at the bus station. In particular, the outside footpath serving bays 1–8 will be closed for the duration of the works.
- Passengers can still access bays 1–8 from inside the bus station building during normal opening hours.
- After the bus station closes each evening, services normally using bays 1–8 will operate from bays 9–11, outside the main building near the entrance.
- The alternative evening arrangements apply after 6pm Monday–Saturday and after 4pm on Sundays.
Agreements with operators and expected disruption
All arrangements have been agreed with local bus operators to keep disruption to a minimum and maintain services while the improvement work is carried out. Councillors from the cabinet with responsibility for communities and the environment welcomed the project, stressing the importance of first impressions for visitors to the town centre.
“Bridgend Bus Station is one of the first places many people see when arriving in the town centre, so it is important that it creates a positive first impression,” said Cllr Gary Haines.
Cllr Eugene Caparros added that the works will help refresh the station’s appearance and ensure the facilities meet expectations, while also acknowledging that there will be some temporary disruption for passengers and bus operators.
| Aspect | Temporary arrangement |
|---|---|
| Footpath serving bays 1–8 | Closed for duration of works; bays accessible from inside station during opening hours |
| Evening bay usage | After closure each day, services using bays 1–8 will use bays 9–11 |
| Times | After 6pm Monday–Saturday; after 4pm on Sundays |
| Duration | Approximately four weeks |
The clock tower project is described as one element of broader investment under the council’s Public Realm programme, aimed at creating cleaner, more welcoming environments for residents, visitors and commuters. For regular users of the bus station, the main practical impact will be the temporary rerouting of evening services and the closure of the outside footpath; during daytime hours those using the station should still be able to reach their usual bays from inside the building.
Commuters are advised to allow a little extra time for boarding during the evening changes and to check notices at the bus station or with their bus operator if they are unsure which bay their service will use. The council and operators say they appreciate patience from passengers while the work is completed.
