A TEMPORARY traffic order introduced at Maesteg bus station following a bus crash has now been made permanent by Bridgend County Borough Council.
The traffic order was first put in place in 2022 to prevent all vehicles other than authorised buses from using the station for parking, as a turning point, or unloading or carrying out any other manoeuvres.
It came after a number of safety concerns were raised by members of the public and public transport providers, following a collision between a bus and a parked car in 2022. The incident even led to local bus operator First Cymru Buses withdrawing services from the station for a time until the order was first issued.
However, following what has been described as a successful trial run with the order, which gives the authority powers to carry out civil enforcement against drivers who contravene the parking regulations, the move will now be made permanent in order to maintain public safety.
Councillor Ross Thomas who is the leader of the Llynfi Independents and member for Maesteg West said he and others in the community had welcomed the move.
He said: “I understand there has been an improvement since the restrictions were brought in temporarily – so the move to make them permanent is to be welcomed.
“Aside from people having common sense and not using the bus station as a drop-off or turning point, the success of the restrictions will be reliant on regular patrols by both council officers and the police acting as a deterrent, and issuing tickets where appropriate.
“It’s already difficult enough to maintain bus services without the added risk of operators withdrawing from the bus station, as before, as a result of health and safety issues and potential collisions with vehicles that shouldn’t be there. I hope it sends a clear message that the bus station is just that, for the use of buses.”
Councillor John Spanswick, cabinet member for climate change and the environment, added: “Following a highly successful trial run, the traffic order has been made permanent in order to maintain public safety at the busy bus station.
“As well as establishing rules on how the bus station area can be used, we have also introduced new road markings and double-yellow lines at the site so that drivers will know not to enter.
“Such misuse of the bus station presents a clear safety hazard, especially when free town centre car parking is already available within Maesteg. The council’s enforcement officers will be continuing to monitor the situation to ensure compliance and help keep people safe.”
