New Bus Station in Ashton Hit By Structural Faults.

Tameside Interchange Ashton-under-Lyne

Four years ago, it was announced that the bus station in Ashton-under-Lyne, was to be demolished and replaced by a new Tameside Interchange bus station costing £33m. The new bus station was all part of the 'Vision Tameside' project dreamt up by the Labour controlled Tameside Council.

The new bus station was scheduled to open next month (August), but Northern Voices has been told that there are already serious problems with the building. Seemingly, the roof on the new building is leaking and the wrong floor has been laid within the building. Sources have also told  Northern Voices that the bus station is not big enough, being eight bays too short and that there are problems with reversing. 

Just over two years ago, Tameside Council's 'Vision Tameside' project was seriously imperilled following the collapse of the construction giant, Carillion. Despite warnings that Carillion was a serious risk, and that speculators were shorting Carillion shares, the Labour council under its leader Kieran Quinn, continued to award more contracts and work to the failing construction company. Critics accused the council of putting too many eggs in one basket which could potentially bring the council down along with Carillion and of deals done behind closed doors.