Geograph - photograph every grid square

GMT 1425, a Metro-Cammell Weymann Metrobus (GNC 277N) supplied originally to SELNEC in 1974, waits at stand C in the original Ashton-Under-Lyne bus station.

Ashton’s first bus station was built 1963 in the midst of the huge slum clearance and redevelopment of the town which took place during the 1960s. Officially opened 6 November 1963, it replaced a variety of termini throughout the town centre.

The new facility had vehicular access available from Katherine Street and Warrington Street. There were six loading bays, all 170 feet each with two services loading from each side of the shelter. The whole area of the bus station took up 86661 square feet, the equivalent of a present-day superstore car park. All shelters were prefabricated to Queensbury Shelters’ standard designs, which would later be seen throughout Greater Manchester. There were no facilities for trolleybuses; the trolleybus services operated by Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation and Manchester Corporation continued to us the terminus at Bow Street and Old Square, by Yates’ Wine Lodge until they were withdrawn at the end of 1966.

By the time this photograph was taken, in 1981, Ashton Bus Station was starting to look its age and shortly afterwards, it was refurbished (notably by rotation the bus stands by 90 degrees) and Warrington Street was pedestrianised.

In the 1990s, the bus station was moved to its current location as the site shown here became part of the Arcades Shopping Centre.

Link The History of Ashton-under-Lyne Bus Station for more detailed information.