'Crazy idea' for Exeter's former bus station slammed

The council has come under fire from critics

Plans to use Exeter’s former bus station as a car park have been branded ‘crazy’. The city council says it will increase income, but has come under fire from critics who believe it will encourage more motorists at a time when the council is supposed to be trying to cut traffic.

Now Exeter Green Party is campaigning to stop the car park being built, and is calling on local people to suggest better uses for the land.

Cllr Tess Read (Green, St David’s) said: “We need the Labour-led council to make a sharp U-turn on this crazy idea. The city centre does not need more car parking spaces and the proposal flies in the face of council promises to reduce carbon emissions, encourage active travel and reduce air pollution.

“This is a prime site in the city centre and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform it into something distinctive for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”

Ideas so far include a covered market, a space for local businesses and social enterprises or a new urban park.

Cllr Read went on: “We want people in Exeter to share their ideas and help shape the future of the city centre. This is why we have launched a campaign to say no to a car park, and yes to positive alternatives.”

As part of the council's financial plan, it is looking to generate new income by having a car park next to the new bus station and leisure centre St Sidwell's Point.

It comes at a time when the council is selling off Mary Arches Street car park in the city centre as a development site. The fate of Magdalen Street car park has also been uncertain because last year it was identified as being a possible site for new homes within the draft Exeter Local Plan.

The council's initial vision for the old bus station site back in 2019 was for a £300m investment that would create a new bus station as well as the addition of luxury and budget hotels, bars, restaurants, office space and residential accommodation. The council said the development on Paris Street was to be named Citypoint and that the plans also included moving the Civic Centre into a brand new Public Sector Hub.

However, the plans have not materialised. The old bus station closed in October 2017. A new £8m bus station beside it officially opened in July 2021 next door to the new leisure centre St Sidwell’s Point which opened the following year.

The demolition of the old bus station was severely delayed. It was dubbed an "eyesore" and attracted anti-social behaviour.