Bus station reopens after surprise closure

Hertford bus station has fully reopened after a surprise partial closure on Wednesday.

Contractors began fencing off three of the bus stops on Wednesday morning, causing issues for buses needing to turn round.

The closure came as a surprise to both local councils and the bus companies. County Council officers later attended the site to assess the impact of the closure.

Hertford bus station is owned by Chase New Homes, who have redeveloped Bircherley Green after buying the site from the Diageo Pension Trust.

The developer issued a short statement, saying: "A temporary hoarding has been erected to allow the Bus Facility improvement works to be undertaken as approved under Planning Condition 61.   

"The Council nor any of the bus companies contribute to the delivery or maintenance of this privately owned bus area or the toilets. All of this is currently funded by Chase New Homes for the benefit of the community."

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "Bus Services at Hertford Bus Station are being disrupted as a result of the developer closing off parts of the facility without providing prior notice. Hertfordshire County Council and East Herts District Council are in communication with the developer to try and resolve the issue and ensure that bus services can operate as usual. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused bus users."

Chase New Homes have a number of outstanding planning applications awaiting determination by East Herts Council, three of which were approved on Friday. 

The council and developer are still negotiating a Delivery and Servicing Management Plan that could see vehicles using public realm areas for delivery of goods and servicing such as refuse collection.