I sense that there is a storm brewing with regard to the proposed redevelopment of the Bus Station in the middle of Sudbury.
I have received two letters from Sudbury based organisations , The Sudbury Society and the Market Town Partnership Steering Group. Both are concerned that their carefully researched and planned ideas for the site already appear to have been rejected in favour of other options.
The main bone of contention seems to be whether or not the bus station should be moved from its current site, or form part of the new development. It seems that the proposals from the Market Town Partnership Steering Group, which are supported by the Sudbury Society, would involve re-siting the facility.
I am not privy to their deliberations on the matter, but reading between the lines, the local authorities concerned (Suffolk County Council and Babergh) appear to be doubtful as to whether moving the bus station is feasible. Speaking to a Babergh officer yesterday I was assured that ‘nothing has been ruled out or in at this stage’. However, there must be some basis for the local organisations’ concern.
I am not an elected representative for Sudbury. However, arrangements in the centre of Sudbury, particularly with regard to car parking and transport, are in some ways more important for the people in Waldingfield Ward who have to travel into town one way or another, than for those who live closer in. Therefore I think it is important to keep a close eye on what is happening to the transport system and car parking arrangements.
Additionally I do think that despite recent growth, Sudbury remains a very charming and unique place, and that it is essential that any plan for this important central site is well designed and complementary to the rest of town centre.
Once built the new development will have to last for many years (perhaps centuries!) It is so important to get it right! As regular readers know I do not think a lot of the new development in Bury. The style of architecture is very strange, the scheme does not merge seamlessly into the old part of the town and it presents a very ugly frontage to the world. I personally don’t want anything like that to be built in Sudbury.
