The MP for South Suffolk says relocating Sudbury's bus station could unlock long-awaited regeneration in the heart of the town.
James Cartlidge believes moving the current bus station would allow the Hamilton Road Quarter, a prominent but largely undeveloped area of the town centre, to be brought forward for redevelopment after years of stalled plans.
Speaking to us, Mr Cartlidge said the opportunity had arisen following the allocation of more than £26 million in Government funding to Suffolk County Council through the Local Authority Bus Grant. He believes part of that funding could be used to relocate the bus station while maintaining bus services, helping unlock private investment in the surrounding site.
"Sudbury is the biggest town in my constituency. It's a lovely market town with a railway station, but it has in the middle of it this area of land which has been basically scrub wasteland for a long time and we've wanted as a town to regenerate it."
Mr Cartlidge said the current location of the bus station has made it difficult to attract private investment into the Hamilton Road Quarter.
"Hopefully by having money to move that bus station, to still have a good service in the town, but ultimately to free up this land so it can be redeveloped.
"I think this would attract new shops, new businesses to the area. That's economic vitality. That's what I want to see."
According to Mr Cartlidge, previous attempts to regenerate the area have repeatedly stalled because of the cost of relocating and upgrading the bus station. He says the latest bus funding presents a fresh opportunity to overcome that obstacle, although the wider redevelopment would still rely on attracting private investment.
Community consultation
The South Suffolk MP said any proposal to relocate the bus station would need to be developed with residents and local councils to ensure the town continues to have a good bus service.
"We need to have a discussion as a community, the people of Sudbury, where do we want to move our bus station to.
"People care about their bus services. So if it's moved, it's still got to be a good service.
"But if we can do that, we can then free up the land in the heart of our town for redevelopment. I think that will be a good way to stimulate our local economy and create the jobs our young people need."
While Mr Cartlidge has been campaigning for the relocation of the bus station, he acknowledged that no new site has been identified and that any proposal would require detailed consultation and the usual planning process before it could go ahead.
We've approached Suffolk County Council for comment.
Published by Greatest Hits Radio.
