Truro Bus Station is set to close for ten weeks while it undergoes maintenance and refurbishment work, writes Richard Whitehouse, BBC Local Democracy Reporter.

It has been announced that the bus station in Green Street will be closed from Monday, March 26 while the work is completed.

The works are being carried out so that the station will fit in with the One Public Transport System for Cornwall (OPTSfC) project which is aimed at creating an integrated public transport system.

Under the plans people using public transport will be able to use one ticket to access services as well as cards similar to Oyster cards used in London.

The works being carried out involve resurfacing of the bus area, cleaning of footway areas/building and additional real time passenger information signs.

All the works being undertaken are being funded through Cornwall Council’s OPTSfC project.

There are also resurfacing works planned in Green Street and they have been organised to coincide with the bus station works to avoid further disruption.

Cornwall Council has also secured a commitment from First Bus to decorate the inside customer waiting area with painting of the walls and new seating for passengers. That work will be carried out once the external works are complete.

Truro city and Cornwall councillor Rob Nolan has welcomed the works saying: “I’m pleased to see these refurbishments. The Bus Station has began to look very tatty lately and the breaking up of the road surface looks really worrying, bearing in mind there’s a river running underneath.”

While the bus station is closed there will be staff from First at the bus station, Boscawen Street and Victoria Square bus stops to provide help and information for passengers.

During the works the bus station will be closed for approximately 10 weeks. While they take place there will be alternative arrangements for buses which are:

First Buses:

Services T1, T2, 85 & 87: Arrive at Boscawen Street and depart from Victoria Square

Services 46, 47 & T3: Arrive at Boscawen Street and depart from Lemon Quay

Services U1, 36 & 66: Arrive at Lemon Quay and depart from Lemon Quay

Services 22, 27, 50, 51, 90, 92, 93, 94 & 95: Arrive at Quay Street and depart from Boscawen Street

Hopley’s Coaches:

Service 304: Arrive at Boscawen Street and depart from Lemon Quay

Gorran Bus:

Services to arrive and depart from the coach park on Fairmantle Street

National Express:

Services to arrive and depart from Lemon Quay