:Wrexham bus station

A new complex was opened in two halves in December 2003,{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/planning/udp/udp_monitor_rep05.pdf|title=Wrexham Unitary Development Plan Monitoring Report 2004-5|date=20 October 2005|website=Wrexham County Borough Council|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=6 September 2019}} on the site of the original bus station which was originally built in the late 1960s with the adjacent office buildings.

The original station had much graffiti on its aging steel bus stands, and main brick building, which housed a small newsagents.

File:Wrexham bus station - geograph.org.uk - 1393422.jpg

While the original bus station was redeveloped, use was made of the wide pavement area of King Street as temporary locations for the bus stands. The new bus station features a number of small shops, varying from newsagents to a Fat Cat Cafe Bar.

Most services are operated by Arriva Buses Wales, which operates the longest routes using Wright Commander buses, however GHA Coaches at one time operated several services before their collapse (see Controversies below). A number of smaller firms also operate from the bus station.

In 2013 the station benefitted from a £1.4m improvement project,{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-bus-station-set-14m-facelift-9259.html|title=Wrexham Bus Station Area Set For £1.4m Facelift|website=Wrexham.com|access-date=2019-09-06}} which saw the installation of wider pavements, shop fronts, walls and other infrastructure. The scheme was backed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Bus station received a £250,000 grant from the Welsh Government in February 2019 intended for "refurbished toilets, new bins, real time information screens and an external clean-up."{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17415777.wrexham-bus-station-to-get-250000-worth-of-repairs-and-refurbishment/|title=Wrexham bus station to get £250,000 refurbishment - here's what will be improved|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}

Wrexham Council announced in 2019 it was considering a range of methods to improve the image of the bus station after much negative press attention. Solutions discussed included enhanced CCTV, increased fees for bus companies rest facilities, increased departure charges, and a new three-year contract to reopen the information centre.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-43050851|title=Higher fees to improve drug-hit station|date=2018-02-13|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}} A new route opened that month introducing services to HM Prison Berwyn, one of the largest employers in the region near Wrexham industrial estate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17509372.new-bus-contracts-in-wrexham-include-a-direct-route-to-hmp-berwyn/|title=New bus contracts in Wrexham include a direct route to HMP Berwyn|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In May 2019 the Welsh Government rolled out discounted My Travel Pass products for those between 16 and 21 in the Wrexham area, reducing fares by 30%.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/discounted-bus-fares-available-for-16-21-year-olds-with-my-travel-pass-167799.html|title=Discounted bus fares available for 16-21 year olds with 'My Travel Pass'|website=Wrexham.com|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In June 2019 in response to social issues in and around the bus station, a Salvation Army Community Care Hub was promoted to "bring together the Department for Work and Pensions, GPs, chiropodists, health visitors and mental health, housing and crime reduction teams."{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48556009|title=The 'one-stop shop' for homeless people|last=Rimmer|first=Monica|date=2019-06-23|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}} The project has been supported by First Minister Mark Drakeford{{Cite web|url=https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/welsh-first-minister-visits-wrexham|title=Welsh First Minister 'drops in' to Wrexham Salvation Army to thank partnership that's helping people overcome homelessness {{!}} The Salvation Army|website=www.salvationarmy.org.uk|access-date=2019-09-06}} and it is aimed at resolving deprivation and poverty in the city centre. The Leader of Flintshire Council however criticised the Welsh Government for their failure to push forward the North Wales Metro and asked where the £50m spending pledged for the project was being used.{{Cite web|url=http://www.deeside.com/concerns-over-lack-of-progress-on-north-east-wales-metro-project/|title=Concerns over lack of progress on North East Wales Metro project|date=2019-06-17|website=Deeside.com|access-date=2019-09-06}} A Welsh Government spokesperson however said a Transport for Wales business unit has been established in North Wales to support it, beginning with improvements to the Wrexham-Bidston line, improved access to and within Deeside Industrial Park with a focus on bus and active travel, and spending on the Wrexham bus station.

The Council is undertaking a scheme of works in the area surrounding the bus station, including work to improve Regent Street, Hope Street, and Queen's Square.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17870387.wrexham-council-announce-new-town-centre-improvements---way/|title=Wrexham Council announce new town centre improvements – what's on the way?|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}} Further work will involve rollout of LED lighting across the city centre and work to the area around St Giles Church and the neighbouring streets.

On 24 August 2019 the station's waiting area was closed from "8pm Monday to Saturday and throughout Sundays"{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/new-shutters-will-limit-anti-social-behaviour-at-wrexham-bus-station-173500.html|title=New shutters will 'limit anti-social behaviour' at Wrexham bus station|website=Wrexham.com|access-date=2019-09-06}} to reduce anti social behaviour which had become prevalent at night.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49592500|title=Bus station concourse closures to tackle drug use|date=2019-09-05|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}} The Council state the work is part of a scheme of improvements to the bus station, including "refurbished toilets, new bins, external clearing and cleaning works and digital timetables." The improvements are funded by a £250,000 grant from the Welsh Government.

In September 2019 MP Ian Lucas criticised the bus station for failing to provide adequate services to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17875530.wrexham-mp-says-transport-improvements-solution-wrexham-maelor-hospital-39-s-considerable-problem-parking/|title=MP's urgent call for better Wrexham transport links to help stop abuse of free car parking at hospital|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}} Welsh Government Economy and Transport minister Ken Skates responded by stating they are "investing more than £10 million" in transport improvements including planning a "Wrexham General integrated transport hub".

The bus industry in the region saw extensive issues around 2016, with the collapse of GHA Coaches which led threats to school bus contracts, nearly 400 people facing redundancy, and the loss of a number of local services.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/gha-coaches-enter-administration-with-immediate-effect-116090.html|title=400 Jobs At Risk As GHA Coaches Enter Administration & 'Cease Trading'|website=Wrexham.com|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In 2017, the bus station and area gained notoriety in the national press{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/exposed-drug-zombies-wrexham-bus-station/|title=Why I exposed the drug 'zombies' of Wrexham bus station|last=Shute|first=Joe|date=2017-03-08|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} with the nickname "Spice Town", after bus driver Gavin Rodda received social media attention for highlighting photos of drug users and paraphernalia in the area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-39178982|title='Stark' bus station drug use photos|date=2017-03-06|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}} The issue led to meetings between Welsh Government ministers and North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones. Hugh Jones of Wrexham council told the BBC that there had been a "significant increase in anti-social behaviour in the past two years". He stated, however, that improvements had been made following the introduction of a public space protection order, and collaboration with agencies such as Cais and the Wallich.

In September 2018 it was reported that a homeless man had entered the bus station and threatened to "stab people" during a 12-minute episode which was seen by children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/16692693.homeless-man-threatened-to-stab-people-at-wrexham-bus-station/|title=Homeless man threatened to stab people at Wrexham bus station|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}} The BBC reported that the city now had 44 rough sleepers, the second most in Wales after Cardiff, and homelessness volunteers urged the public to "speak to" and "befriend" the homeless in the community. A session held by volunteers attracted over 100 supporters.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-45963565|title='Befriend homeless' to help tackle drug use|date=2018-11-10|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}}

In October 2018 proposals were made to reduce disabled parking spots at the station, however these were rejected by Wrexham Council after receiving significant complaints from voluntary groups in the area.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/16955114.plans-to-reduce-disabled-parking-spots-at-wrexham-bus-station-refused/|title=Plans to reduce disabled parking spots at Wrexham bus station refused|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In January 2019 a security officer at the station was accused and later convicted of assaulting another man while travelling on a bus service which came to a stop.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17490512.security-officer-to-lose-his-job-after-admitting-wrexham-assault-court-told/|title=Security officer to lose his job after admitting Wrexham assault, court told|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In February 2019, further issues arose when Arriva Buses Wales withdrew two services from operation, describing them as "not commercially viable".{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/more-bad-news-for-bus-users-as-further-service-cancellations-and-route-changes-announced-163415.html|title=More bad news for some bus users as further service cancellations and route changes announced|website=Wrexham.com|access-date=2019-09-06}} The Welsh Government criticised 1980s bus deregulation as creating significant problems for communities. A local councillor blamed the cancellations on a "lack of competition".{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17451976.no-competition-to-blame-for-arriva-axing-bus-routes-says-llay-councillor/|title="It's just pathetic" - Llay councillor slams Arriva for worsening bus routes|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In March 2019 the EasyCoach service which operates from the station received press attention when it had its license suspended, as a result of an incident which saw a "wheel come off a vehicle".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47500232|title=Bus boss banned after wheel comes off|date=2019-03-08|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}} Another incident took place that month, with armed police stopping a Wrexham to Chester bus service in Gresford, boarding the vehicle with weapons to search for a "specific individual".{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrexham.com/news/armed-police-evacuate-then-search-bus-on-wrexham-to-chester-route-166071.html|title=Armed police evacuate and search bus on Wrexham to Chester route|website=Wrexham.com|access-date=2019-09-06}} Incidents of police searches were reported across Wrexham and Chester bus services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/armed-police-stop-search-buses-16057985|title=This is why armed police searched buses on route to Chester|last=McDougall|first=John|date=2019-04-01|website=chesterchronicle|access-date=2019-09-06}} A councillor stated at the time that the Wrexham bus industry was at "breaking point".{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/wrexham/17420221.wrexhams-bus-industry-at-breaking-point-as-multiple-changes-are-set-for-services-across-the-county/|title=Wrexham's bus industry 'at breaking point' as multiple changes are set for services across the county|website=The Leader|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}

In July 2019 issues arose at the station when the operator of the EasyCoach service collapsed, and franchise holder Transervis Ltd closed the station information office in the process.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49218547|title=Bus station info centre closure sparks questions|date=2019-08-03|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}} MP for Wrexham Ian Lucas also raised fears for the station when it was announced that the taskforce of police, health and other officials dealing with drug issues in and around the area would be disbanded.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48938033|title=MP's concern at demise of 'Spice Town' taskforce|date=2019-07-10|access-date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB}}

Bus services run from the station to Chester, Oswestry, Llangollen, Mold, Denbigh, Whitchurch, Barmouth, and Machynlleth. Wrexham Central railway station and Wrexham General railway station are within a five and ten minute walk from the bus station respectively.

• List of bus stations in Wales
• Transport in Wales

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Category:Buildings and structures in Wrexham

Category:Bus stations in Wales