News: Rotherham Interchange reopens after £12m refurb

Rotherham Interchange has reopened following a £12m refurbishment scheme.

As part of plans to regenerate Rotherham town centre, Interserve has carried out work on the site which had associated public safety issues and suffered a fire in 2016 which caused significant damage.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) holds a lease agreement with owners Norseman Estates Limited to maintain and operate the interchange and car park. The Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (CA) agreed to borrow £12.5m so that refurbishment of the important town centre asset could be carried out.

The ten-month closure incorporated 150,000 hours of construction work, using 10,000 litres of paint, and installing 11,000 floor tiles, 10km of electric cables, 3,800 sq m of cladding, 350 sheets of glass and twenty-one crates of solar panels to provide the building's energy needs.

Paul Ellenor, regional director for Interserve said: "We are delighted to be handing over the first phase of the Rotherham Interchange refurbishment project. The new facilities will provide an improved passenger experience and make a real difference to local residents. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Rotherham Council as it continues to invest in the town as part of its regeneration programme."

The car park above has new surfacing, larger parking bays and better pedestrian routes. 3,800 sq m of external cladding has been replaced and ten electric vehicle charging points have been installed.

Bus services have relocated back from the temporary station on Forge Island, where flood alleviation work is now due to get underway before the leisure-led regeneration scheme will bring a cinema, hotel and food and bevarage outlets to the key site.

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Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council (pictured, centre), said: "This facility is one of the major gateways into the town. It will enhance where we live, and benefit people arriving into the town centre via public transport. The refurbishment of the interchange follows the opening of the University Centre last summer. Both projects are major components of the town centre Masterplan, along with promoting sustainable travel, so it's great to see the Masterplan progressing as planned."

Stephen Edwards, executive director at SYPTE (pictured, right), said: "The improved Rotherham Interchange will provide a better, brighter place for public transport users as well as those visiting, living and working in the town. Seventeen million people travelling through the Interchange each year, using 1,299 buses a day, will now benefit from new seating, lighting, information displays, electrics and flooring, CCTV and free public wi-fi."

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority (pictured, left), said: "I'm delighted to be opening the £12m refurbished Rotherham Interchange. Public transport provides vital access to employment, education, public services and social activities, so it's great to see these huge improvements that will make a real difference to people travelling around our region each and every day."

SYPTE website

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News: £12m bus station revamp approved

The planning application for the long-awaited revamp of the bus station in Rotherham town centre has been approved but the owner of the adjacent shopping precinct is unhappy at the prospect of the interchange's closure whilst work is carried out.

Architects at Jefferson Sheard submitted the application earlier this year focused on refreshing the concourses with upgrades to flooring, plinths and glazing. The main pedestrian entrances are also set to be revamped.

Norseman Estates Limited, who are owners of the College Walk Shopping Centre which adjoins the bus station, has complained over the consultation done by the SYPTE and the impact of the temporary closure of the bus station.

Partners decided last year to focus on refurbishing the car park and bus station rather than a large scale redevelopment. Opened in 1971, the multi storey car park has since developed widespread defects. It is underutilised and "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair."

The bus station, which has associated public safety issues, suffered a fire in 2016 which caused significant damage.

Construction works to undertake the car park refurbishment scheme commenced on site in May 2017. The approved plans included internal improvements to increase usage and proposals for new highly durable anodised mesh panels to replace the poorly implemented current external cladding.

The latest plans, approved without the need to go to the planning board, include new finishes, fixtures and fittings to refresh the interchange, replacing failing components and improving the customer experience. This includes new glazed facades, replacing the existing floor surface in its entirety, new concourse and runway ceilings, replacing all of the current seating, new signage and a new, high quality and integrated customer service desk.

Led by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the tender process to procure a construction firm to carry out the work is underway with the deadline this week.

Work is anticipated to start in Spring 2018 and last for approximately 12 months.

Proposals are in place to fully close the interchange site to the public and the potential use of nearby Forge Island for a temporary bus station is being discussed.

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Legal firm Freeths, on behalf of Norseman Estates, said: "The importance of the operation of the bus station and its relation to the shopping centre and the wider town centre cannot be over emphasised in terms of the vitality and viability of the town.

"Although the development for which planning permission is sought in this application may be considered relatively small scale it never the less has the potential to have significant and serious implications if not properly managed as part of the overall refurbishment of the bus station."

A report from council planners responds with: "The applicant indicates that the car park construction works will be completed in parallel with this application to minimise the duration of the construction works on site and consequently minimise disruption to the ongoing town centre activities and retail offers. However, the applicant has confirmed that the construction of the new entrance lobbies can be completed without whole closure of the interchange. Localised temporary relocation of the bus stands immediately adjacent to each entrance may be required at most.

"The issues raised by the objector are noted and the potentially uncertainty of the business owners within the College Walk Shopping Precinct to the south of the interchange are understood. However, the issue raised by the objector in respect of there being no proper consultation with the businesses and the applicant is not a material planning consideration and this issue, together with the fact the bus interchange will need to close to carry out the wider redevelopment of the site is one that should be discussed between the applicant and the businesses outside of this planning application as it is legal / civil issue.

"It is noted that the closure of the bus interchange may impact on town centre, however there have been months of discussions between the applicant and other Council departments to ensure any disruption is minimal and does not significantly impact on the town centre. Again this is not material to this application and is for discussions outside of planning."

In 1995 Norseman Holdings bought the whole site from Rotherham Council, re-developing it with a shopping mall at the main entrance and new shops fronting onto Effingham Street. To facilitate the wider proposals, SYPTE agreed to take a 99 year lease of the Interchange site.

The owners also asked for a decision on the application to be deferred pending further negotiations to keep the bus station open during the works.

Council planners conclude that a condition is not considered necessary in this instance given the small scale nature of the proposed works, which in isolation, if approved would not require the bus interchange to close.

The report adds: "It is noted that during the construction phase of the wider development there may be a short term impact on the economic and social dimensions due to pedestrians not walking directly past the businesses from the Interchange, but these business can be accessed directly off Frederick Street.

"Furthermore, once this construction period has finished, the wider development is likely to provide significant economic and environmental enhancements to the town centre and its businesses."

SYPTE website

Images: SYPTE / Norseman / Jefferson Sheard

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News: Tender out for £12m Rotherham Interchange refurb

A contractor is being sought to lead on the long-awaited revamp of the bus station in Rotherham town centre.

Architects at Jefferson Sheard submitted a planning application earlier this year focused on refreshing the concourses with upgrades to flooring, plinths and glazing.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) has now begun the procurement of a construction / real estate contractor to lead on the project.

Partners decided last year to focus on refurbishing the car park and bus station rather than a large scale redevelopment. Opened in 1971, the multi storey car park has since developed widespread defects. It is underutilised and "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair."

The bus station, which has associated public safety issues, suffered a fire in 2016 which caused significant damage.

The SYPTE has a long term lease for the four-storey car park and interchange which sits between Frederick Street and the River Don. The Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (CA) is preparing to borrow £12.5m so that refurbishment of the important town centre asset can be carried out.

The Car Park works will involve soffit tie repairs, deck repairs, concrete repairs to structural beams and columns and waterproofing. The Bus Station works includes the upgrade of the fixtures and finishes, including a comprehensive review and refurbishment of the waiting areas, boarding points, customer service desks and information hubs to respond to opportunities offered by modern passenger information display systems and web-enabled information technology.

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The tender documents explain: "The Rotherham Transport Interchange has a multi-storey car park sitting directly above it, which was constructed in the late 1960s. In 1995 a developer [Norseman Holdings] bought the whole site from RMBC, re-developing it with a shopping mall at the main entrance and new shops fronting onto Effingham Street.

"To facilitate the wider proposals, SYPTE agreed to take a 99 year lease of the Interchange site which gives SYPTE the obligation to maintain and operate the Interchange and car park above. Consistent with many similar structures built in the 1960s, the car park's concrete elements have experienced significant levels of concrete degradation. This degradation continues at an increasing rate."

In the car park, the already approved plans included internal improvements to increase usage and proposals for new highly durable anodised mesh panels to replace the poorly implemented current external cladding.

The existing interchange was designed by Jefferson Sheard in the early 1990s.

Peter Matthews, project director at Jefferson Sheard, said: "Having worked on the original Interchange at Rotherham it is particularly satisfying and exciting for me to be involved in its major refurbishment. We are pleased to be working with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) once again to assist them in enhancing the interchange, and ultimately, to create a better user experience for public transport passengers."

Ben Gilligan, director of public transport at SYPTE, added: "I'm delighted that SYPTE is working again on a major transformation project with Jefferson Sheard, improving facilities for the 12 million customers who pass through this busy interchange each year."

Work is anticipated to start in Spring 2018 and last for approximately 12 months. The potential use of nearby Forge Island for a temporary bus station is being discussed.

SYPTE website
Jefferson Sheard website

Images: SYPTE / Jefferson Sheard

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News: Views sought on £12.5m bus station refurb

Views are being sought on proposed improvements as part of the wider refurbishment work at Rotherham Interchange, long awaited work which has been delayed by discussions over the site's future use, and a fire that caused significant damage.

Architects at Jefferson Sheard are well underway with latest plans for the bus station, which also includes a multi-storey car park and retail units.

Work is likely to include refreshing the concourses with upgrades to flooring, plinths, glazing and cladding. It is not yet clear if the budget will stretch to replacing the cladding on the outside of the car park with stainless steel or highly durable anodised mesh panels which previous architects said would "softly shimmer as the sunlight is cast upon it."

Partners decided last year to focus on refurbishing the car park and bus station rather than a large scale redevelopment. Opened in 1971, the multi storey car park has since developed widespread defects. It is underutilised and "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair." The bus station, which has associated public safety issues, suffered a fire in 2016 which caused significant damage.

Plans were approved in 2014 for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park. However, the start date of the refurbishment was delayed following a decision to further investigate alternative development options on the site.

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Following the fire, essential remedial work included repairs to platform A, the windows, public toilets, offices and electrical cables affecting the lighting, customer information systems, automatic doors, and the passenger lift.

Drop-in sessions are being held this week at Rotherham Interchange to gain customer comments on proposed improvements.

Stephen Edwards, executive director at SYPTE, said: "We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the ongoing repair works are being carried out at Rotherham Interchange. The project team continue to work hard behind the scenes to maintain the operation of the Interchange whilst keeping customer disruption to a minimum.

"We are keen for as many customers as possible to speak to our representatives at the Interchange on the drop-in dates, and have their say on our refurbishment plans as they progress, to make sure improvements we make best meet passenger needs."

In March, Rothbiz reported that the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (CA) is preparing to borrow £12.5m so that refurbishment of the important town centre asset can be carried out.

Pre-application discussions with the Council identify the architect's scope of works and possible outcomes to improve the building's appearance, and to improve personal safety and the customer offer and experience. It provides a "shopping list" of the types of materials that could be used and ideas for a new customer service facility.

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Images: Jefferson Sheard

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News: £12m needed for bus station repairs

The costs of refurbishing the car park which is "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair" at Rotherham Interchange is an estimated £12m.

Rothbiz reported last month that a large scale redevelopment of the bus station in Rotherham town centre looks unlikely as partners instead focus on refurbishing the car park.

Opened in 1971, the multi storey car park on the site has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

Plans were approved in 2014 for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park. However, the start date of the refurbishment was delayed following a decision to further investigate alternative development options on the site.

Talks have been ongoing between the operators, the SYPTE, Rotherham Council and owners Norseman Holdings on which option to take. A cinema and new interchange scheme proposal was developed but the funding to deliver the scheme could not be sourced.

The issue has been complicated by a fire at the site in May which caused significant damage to the interior of the interchange and impacted on services and reduced income from the car park.

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A report to the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee outlines that the Interchange Refurbishment project is in the process of being refined and is likely to include repairs to the car park, repairs following the fire and the "refurbishment of parts of the Interchange to improve the visual appearance and make the site more attractive and less threatening to customers."

The capital strategy from Rotherham Council includes an ambition to invest in "Improvements to the Transport Interchange, to address current condition and public safety issues. The aim is to create a new, brighter, safer environment and address some of the issues around CSE in and around the existing Interchange."

Only 15% of school pupils responding to the Borough Wide Lifestyle Survey said they feel safe at the bus station.

Works could begin in the Summer of 2017 and the estimated final cost of this scheme is approximately £12m including risk and inflation, but work on scope, costs and risks are progressing.

£3m from the reserves of South Yorkshire's transport budget has already been put aside for the works and a bid for funding will be presented to the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority in due course.

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News: Refurbishment rather than redevelopment at Rotherham Interchange

A large scale redevelopment of the bus station in Rotherham town centre looks unlikely as partners instead focus on refurbishing the car park which is "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair."

The town's bus station also includes a retail development covering 55,000 sq ft and consisting of 18 units. Opened in 1971, the multi storey car park on the site has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

Plans were approved in 2014 for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park. However, the start date of the refurbishment was delayed following a decision to further investigate alternative development options on the site.

Talks have been ongoing between the operators, the SYPTE, Rotherham Council and owners Norseman Holdings on which option to take. A cinema and new interchange scheme proposal was developed but the funding to deliver the scheme could not be sourced.

The issue has been complicated by a fire at the site in May which caused significant damage to the interior of the interchange and pushed the overall repair bill above £5m.

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Steve Edwards, executive director of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) told a recent meeting of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee: "We have been looking at the longer term future of the car park and the interchange with a number of options being considered, ranging from a redevelopment of the location, to a repair and update of the infrastructure.

"The proposal at the moment is to go for the latter option - to repair and refurbish the car park and interchange. This will go to the combined authority for formal approval in due course.

"Both activities will cause some disruption whilst that work goes ahead and we are working on a plan to coordinate those activities together so we cause as little disruption as possible to the travelling public."

£3m from the reserves of South Yorkshire's transport budget has already been put aside for the works.

The recently published draft capital strategy from Rotherham Council included an ambition to invest in "Improvements to the Transport Interchange, to address current condition and public safety issues. The aim is to create a new, brighter, safer environment and address some of the issues around CSE in and around the existing Interchange."

Only 15% of school pupils responding to the Borough Wide Lifestyle Survey said they feel safe at the bus station.

Architectural firm, Aedas, who also designed Rotherham's revamped train station, developed the "elegant solution" for the building's drab appearance by using exterior panels featuring three tones of brown and gold that mimic the colour of iron before it has been manufactured into steel. The anodised material is expected to "softly shimmer as the sunlight is cast upon it."

Also part of the approved plans, the existing four bay parking layout will be replaced with a three bay parking layout. This is designed to free up significant space for manoeuvring, as well as allowing people to get in and out of their vehicle with greater ease. However, this will result in the number of parking spaces reducing down to 485.

The plans propose to introduce "an abundance of colour" on the car park floors and as part of the internal refurbishment there is the opportunity to clarify the layout by introducing markings for pedestrian zones, improving signage, enhancing space markings, and clarifying road markings.

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News: Rotherham Interchange nearly beyond repair

A decision on the future of Rotherham's bus station will need to be made quickly after new tests discovered that the multi storey car park is "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair."

The interchange in Rotherham town centre also includes a retail development covering 55,000 sq ft, consisting of 18 units and 750 parking spaces. It is owned by commercial property developers, Norseman Holdings, with the interchange and car park leased to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the organisation that takes the lead to develop the region's transport network.

Opened in 1971, the car park has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

Typical defects include extensive corrosion to imbedded steel reinforcement. As a consequence there has been spalling (breaking into fragments) in the columns, beams, up-stands, curbs and structural topping to the decks. Additionally a remedial waterproof deck had failed and steel tie-bars were corroding.

The car park requires £4m worth of repairs and plans have been approved for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park. However, the start date of the refurbishment was delayed following a decision to further investigate alternative development options on the site. The SYPTE, Rotherham Council and Norseman Holdings met in 2013 to discuss potential alternative development options for the site and Norseman committed to review the options of a leisure facility at the site and report back on options.

A cinema and new interchange scheme proposal was developed however the funding to deliver the scheme could not be sourced.

A proposal was also considered to totally reconfigure the layout of the bus station, from a drive through operation to a Drive in Reverse Out (DIRO) interchange.

A decision on whether to carry out the repairs or pursue a larger scale redevelopment has been delayed as the refreshed town centre masterplan takes shape.

At the end of last year, consultants at Arup undertook an inspection of the car park and identified a significant increase in the rate of deterioration of the structure.

A report to the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee states: "This is evidenced by the number of defective columns 1st floor increasing from 12 to 24 out of a total of 70.

"Furthermore, the waterproofing system on the roof deck has now failed and water is passing through the structure more readily which is further exacerbating the situation. Despite the increased rate of deterioration there were no immediate health and safety concerns raised, although it has been advised that the car park is nearing the point of being beyond economic repair."

Further discussions are taking place and a decision was expected this month.

The recently published draft capital strategy from Rotherham Council included an ambition to invest in "Improvements to the Transport Interchange, to address current condition and public safety issues. The aim is to create a new, brighter, safer environment and address some of the issues around CSE in and around the existing Interchange."

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News: Rotherham cinema talks roll on

Further requests have been made to consider redeveloping the bus station site in Rotherham town centre, with talk of a potential cinema.

The interchange in Rotherham town centre also includes a retail development covering 55,000 sq ft, consisting of 18 units and 750 parking spaces. It is owned by commercial property developers, Norseman Holdings, with the interchange and car park leased to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the organisation that takes the lead to develop the region's transport network.

The car park requires £4m worth of repairs and so partners have been looking at the potential of a larger redevelopment of the important site.

Opened in 1971, the car park has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

Plans have been approved for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park where highly durable anodised mesh panels will be used to replace the poorly implemented current cladding, with the junctions and recesses in the structure used to break the building into an appearance of three blocks.

The existing four bay parking layout will be replaced with a three bay parking layout. This is designed to free up significant space for manoeuvring, as well as allowing people to get in and out of their vehicle with greater ease. However, this will result in the number of parking spaces reducing down to 485.

The start date of the refurbishment was delayed following a decision to further investigate alternative development options on the site. The SYPTE, Rotherham Council and Norseman Holdings met to discuss potential alternative development options for the site and Norseman committed to review the options of a leisure facility at the site and report back on options.

A cinema and new interchange scheme proposal was developed however the funding to deliver the scheme could not be sourced.

A proposal was also considered to totally reconfigure the layout of the bus station, from a drive through operation to a Drive in Reverse Out (DIRO) interchange.

Tendering is underway for the refurbishment of the car park with the intention to shortlist contractors and issue tender documentation this month. A report to the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee states that: "However this is currently being reviewed following a further request to reconsider the development of the site."

The redevelopment of the important site has been mooted for a number of years. Back in 2007, a scheme was submitted in outline by Norseman Holdings with a partner developer, Hartshead, and SYPTE for the redevelopment of the entire Interchange. As part of Rotherham Renaissance it was planned to include replacement car parking of 750 spaces, new retail floorspace of 125,000 sq ft and new office floorspace of 85,000 sq ft.

Discussions continued into 2008 as the scheme involved using the adjacent site of the former council building, Crinoline House. The scheme was shelved when TCN UK, the developer with a five year exclusivity agreement on the council sites, secured the Crinoline House site for a new petrol station as part of the £40m Tesco Extra development.

Rotherham town centre has been without a cinema for 25 years. Rotherham Council had earmarked Forge Island as the preferred site for a town centre cinema and theatre development but has recently been in discussions with developer, Evans regarding a potential office campus that would bring 2,000 new jobs to the former Tesco site.

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News: Bus station refurb out to tender

Plans for a multimillion pound revamp of the interchange car park in Rotherham town centre are progressing with construction firms invited to tender for the £4m to £5m project.

Investigations had shown that the car park on the site of the bus station requires £4m worth of repairs. Plans have been approved for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park where highly durable anodised mesh panels will be used to replace the poorly implemented current cladding, with the junctions and recesses in the structure used to break the building into an appearance of three blocks.

Planners at Rotherham Council said that the current building is utilitarian in appearance and looks run-down, and that it does not contribute visually to the town centre. They expect the proposed cladding, in three tones of brown and gold, to greatly improve the overall appearance of the building in the day time and at night.

As part of the plans, the internal areas, which in some places are now in a poor state of repair, would be totally revamped.

Opened in 1971, the car park, which sits between Frederick Street and the River Don, has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

In the recent Borough Wide Lifestyle Survey, only 10% of the 4,123 pupils surveyed said they usually feel safe in Rotherham town centre. 9% said they feel safe at the bus station and 7% at the train station. Last year this was phrased "waiting for local transport" where just 14% said that they felt safe.

The approved plans were only meant to a fall back option if other development opportunities did not progress. Discussions had been ongoing with the landlord with a view to developing the interchange site. The SYPTE, Rotherham Council and the owners, Norseman Holdings, met to discuss potential alternative development options for the site and Norseman committed to review the options of a leisure facility at the site and report back on options.

The long term plan and required funding for car park repairs was being investigated by officers but with the refurbishment option reaching the tender stage, a larger scale redevelopment looks unlikely.

SYPTE website

Images: Aedas

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News: Summer timetable for Rotherham bus station redevelopment decision

Plans for a multimillion pound revamp of the interchange car park in Rotherham town centre have been approved but it is only a fall back option if other development opportunities do not progress.

Investigations had shown that the car park on the site of the bus station requires £4m worth of repairs. Plans have been approved for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park where highly durable anodised mesh panels will be used to replace the poorly implemented current cladding, with the junctions and recesses in the structure used to break the building into an appearance of three blocks.

Planners at Rotherham Council said that the current building is utilitarian in appearance and looks run-down, and that it does not contribute visually to the town centre. They expect the proposed cladding, in three tones of brown and gold, to greatly improve the overall appearance of the building in the day time and at night.

As part of the plans, the internal areas, which in some places are now in a poor state of repair, would be totally revamped.

Opened in 1971, the car park, which sits between Frederick Street and the River Don, has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

However, the work and planning application is to protect the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), who own and operate the car park, in the event of other development opportunities not progressing.

The bus station also includes a retail development covering 55,000 sq ft and consisting of 18 units. Potential redevelopment has been discussed for a number of years.

Discussions have been ongoing with the landlord with a view to developing the interchange site. The SYPTE, Rotherham Council and the owners, Norseman Holdings, met to discuss potential alternative development options for the site and Norseman committed to review the options of a leisure facility at the site and report back on options.

The proposal now on the table would totally reconfigure the layout of the bus station, from a drive through operation to a Drive in Reverse Out (DIRO) interchange.

This design uses space more efficiently and often allows for the concentration of facilities and passengers in one securely managed concourse, with buses reversing out of stops on departure. It is used effectively at Barnsley Interchange (pictured, right).

In a report to the new Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, Julie Hurley, interim director of strategy at SYPTE, said: "The proposal has been approved in principal by the key operators and discussions on the details are ongoing. A decision on whether there is a deliverable scheme is expected to be made in the summer of 2014."

The long term plan and required funding for car park repairs continues to be investigated by officers. The SYPTE had budgeted for £2.4m to be spent on the project in 2014/15.

SYPTE website

Images: Aedas / Jefferson Sheard

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News: Elegant revamp for Rotherham town centre car park

Global award-winning architectural firm, Aedas, is set to provide another landmark building in Rotherham town centre as part of a multimillion pound revamp of the interchange car park.

Rothbiz revealed last year that investigations had shown that the car park on the site of the bus station requires £4m worth of repairs. Plans have now been submitted for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the multi-storey car park that could provide Rotherham with a rival to Sheffield's "cheesegrater."

Opened in 1971, the car park has since developed widespread defects and the existing tight spaces and drab appearance mean that occupancy levels only average approximately one third of its 678 capacity.

Aedas has previously designed the revamped Rotherham Central Station and has is now working again with the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), who own and operate the four-storey car park which sits between Frederick Street and the River Don.

The existing cladding system, which consists of proprietary louvres and is designed to allow air to permeate through the car park, has been poorly implemented and will all be replaced. Highly durable anodised mesh panels will be used instead with the junctions and recesses in the structure used to break the building into an appearance of three blocks.

A colour scheme has been chosen that pays homage to the industrial heritage of Rotherham. The exterior panels will feature three tones of brown and gold that mimic the colour of iron before it has been manufactured into steel. The anodised material is expected to "softly shimmer as the sunlight is cast upon it."

The internal areas, which in some places are now in a poor state of repair, are also set to be totally revamped.

The existing four bay parking layout will be replaced with a three bay parking layout. This is designed to free up significant space for manoeuvring, as well as allowing people to get in and out of their vehicle with greater ease. However, this will result in the number of parking spaces reducing down to 485.

The plans propose to introduce "an abundance of colour" on the car park floors and as part of the internal refurbishment there is the opportunity to clarify the layout by introducing markings for pedestrian zones, improving signage, enhancing space markings, and clarifying road markings.

The plans state: "The car park is not fulfilling it's economic potential. By replacing the façade with a more elegant and contextual solution and upgrading the interiors so that people feel comfortable and safe within the car, not only will more people use the car park, but the whole area will be held in higher esteem."

The submission of this planning application suggest that proposals for a more significant redevelopment of the site are not being progressed. The SYPTE, Rotherham Council and the owners, Norseman Holdings, met to discuss potential alternative development options for the site and Norseman committed to review the options of a leisure facility at the site and report back on options.

There are no plans to alter the bus station element on the site and the renovation works are due to take place without any reduction in bus services.

The SYPTE has budgeted for £2.4m to be spent on the project in 2014/15.

Images: Aedas

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News: All change at Rotherham bus station?

The redevelopment of the Rotherham Interchange to include a leisure facility is being looked at after investigations revealed that the car park on the site requires £4m worth of repairs.

The bus station in Rotherham town centre also includes a retail development covering 55,000 sq ft, consisting of 18 units and 750 parking spaces. It is owned by commercial property developers, Norseman Holdings, with the interchange and car park leased to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the organisation that takes the lead to develop the region's transport network.

Opened in 1971, the car park has since developed widespread defects. The access ramp was replaced last year with a new bridge section over the River Don.

An update on the project was recently given to the South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (SYITA), the locally accountable body responsible for the strategic direction of transport planning and delivery.

The detailed design of the repair scheme and development of the cladding options for the multi-storey car park has been progressed to enable pre-planning application discussions to take place with Rotherham Council. Dependent on the outcome of these discussions, the current estimated cost of the works is between £4m and £4.5m.

Tendering has begun for the work which includes refurbishment and major repair works to the structure to bring the car park up to current DDA and Health and Safety standards and generally improve the customer environment. The works include deck repairs, concrete repairs to structural beams and columns and waterproofing. In addition, the works will include the replacement of vehicle restraint barriers, work to the external cladding; upgrading the internal lighting and improvements to the internal finishes.

A meeting has recently taken place with SYPTE, Rotherham Council and the owners, Norseman Holdings, to discuss potential alternative development options for the site.

Norseman committed to review the options of a leisure facility at the site and report back on options. This will enable SYPTE to make a decision on whether to continue the tender for the major refurbishment.

The redevelopment of the important site has been mooted for a number of years. Back in 2007, a scheme was submitted in outline by Norseman Holdings with a partner developer, Hartshead, and SYPTE for the redevelopment of the entire Interchange. As part of Rotherham Renaissance it was planned to include replacement car parking of 750 spaces, new retail floorspace of 125,000 sq ft and new office floorspace of 85,000 sq ft.

Discussions continued into 2008 as the scheme involved using the adjacent site of the former council building, Crinoline House. The scheme was shelved when TCN UK, the developer with a five year exclusivity agreement on the council sites, secured the Crinoline House site for a new petrol station as part of the £40m Tesco Extra development.

Last August, the council's cabinet confirmed Forge Island as the preferred site for a town centre cinema and theatre development.

SYPTE website

Images: Norseman Holdings / Quadriga

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