State of the art Kingston bus station reopens with toilet and safety features

A newly refurbished state-of-the-art bus station in Kingston has reopened. Transport For London (TfL) started work to develop Cromwell Road last summer and the renovations have been completed.

Passengers will now benefit from the addition of a customer toilet, improved safety features such as CCTV and measures to improve the building’s efficiency. Other upgrades include real-time travel information screens, enhanced LED lighting, a wider passenger island with more space for customers and a new PA system.

There are also improved welfare facilities for bus drivers and staff, as well as a new retail unit. TfL hopes the new station will make bus journeys in Kingston more convenient, safe and attractive.

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This new bus station will make bus journeys in Kingston much more convenient, safe and attractive. Kingston is just outside of Surrey, and is a popular shopping location. The station will serve a total of 32 bus routes, including the 216 towards Staines, the 411 towards West Molesey and the 461 towards Addlestone.

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: "When the Mayor was elected for a third term he committed to strengthening public transport options in outer London to help build a better and fairer city for all Londoners. The transformation of Kingston bus station will be a gamechanger, with improved customer waiting areas, a toilet and new safety features to improve the customer experience and help people feel more confident when travelling by public transport."

The bus station is also now an energy-efficient building with a new canopy in the waiting area to keep passengers warm and dry throughout the winter. The pavements have been resurfaced and drainage improved with the installation of a sustainable urban drainage system – also known as SuDS.

SuDS help to prevent the increasing risk of flooding by managing water runoff in a way that mimics natural processes, using extra vegetation and rain gardens. By having plants rather than concrete and absorbent paving, water can filter into the ground, slowing down the rate at which water enters the sewage system during periods of heavy rain.

Lorna Murphy, TfL's Director of Buses, said: “We’re determined to make it even easier to use public transport in the capital and our work to transform Cromwell Road bus station has been a key part of our plans to strengthen the network in Kingston. The new bus station has been designed with customers in mind and we hope customers will be able to take advantage of the new and improved station and encourage more people to use local bus services. We thank the local community for their patience during the works and hope they enjoy their new station.”

Councillor Nicola Nardelli, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways at Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, said: “We are delighted to see the opening of our new state-of-the-art bus station in Kingston. Cromwell Road is a key piece of infrastructure in our transport network and the new bus station will make journeys easier, safer, more comfortable and more attractive for travellers.

“Buses remain the most affordable, accessible, and available form of public transport in Kingston, providing vital mobility for our residents and enhancing our connections across London. We are especially delighted that it delivers on so many of the priorities important to our borough, with leading sustainable design that incorporates safety, accessibility, energy efficiency and flood prevention during heavy rain.”