Council buys town centre bus stances for £1

The council paid former owners Hamcap a nominal £1 for the stances and will own them for at least 99 years. With the stances now local authority property, it will lease them back to Hamcap who will continue to be responsible for their maintenance.

Design work on modifications and upgrades will commence in the New Year and continue for around seven months.

A council spokesman said: “The project is being developed by the Council through Hub South West with funding from Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). Hub SW is a public-private partnership established to enable cost effective design and construction of community facilities and through which the Cumbernauld Community Enterprise Centre, currently under construction, is being delivered.

“The scope of the bus stances project has been informed by the options studies funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) undertaken in 2012 and 2013. The project will look to adapt the existing bus facilities to upgrade their quality, function and appearance.

“Community Planning Partners, stakeholders and the community will be consulted on the design as it is developed and will be kept informed as the project progresses.“

A report will be given to the council on January 27, this will confirm the appointment of the project management and design team and the official start of the design process.

A public consultation and awareness campaign will also begin in the new year, giving bus users and others the chance to have their say on this project.