The state of Winchester bus station is becoming controversial with many taking the view that it is in a state of disrepair and does not represent the city well, especially given its central location.
Over the last few weeks, the Chronicle has received letters from concerned members of the public about the state of the bus station. One letter writer called it a "horrible space", adding that "it is like something out of 1950s communist Russia".
Stagecoach bosses have told Winchester city councillors that the site is earmarked for demolition. It is council-owned.
James O'Neill, commercial manager for Stagecoach South, said the company, which is responsible for the maintenance of the bus station, is weighing up the pros and cons of renovating the site in light of the company's prediction it will likely have to be razed in around five years' time.
READ MORE: Winchester bus station 'earmarked for demolition', Stagecoach chief says
Our reporter visited the station before the meeting on Tuesday, September 10 and asked bus riders what they thought of the facility.
Amanda Prosser, from Eastleigh, said that on one of her visits to the bus station, "the state of it was absolutely disgusting" and that it was in need of a repair and re-do as it did not look like the rest of Winchester.
She remarked that the station "just looks awful" and recommended to spruce it up with "painting the rails and getting rid of the weeds".
Whilst some members of the public commented on its ugly appearance, others such as Bill Leadbetter, from Highcliffe, found no quarrel with the bus station.
He said: "We use it quite a bit, once a week, and I have no complaints about this bus station at all. What I would really like to see is the old Middle Brook car park become a transport hub."
Mr Leadbetter added hat the bus station was not particularly attractive but raised the question of why it needed to be when it served its purpose.
Lynne Ellwood, from Andover and visiting Winchester for the day, had more issues with the busses. She said: "If it was a better service, we would use it more often."
Ms Ellwood did remark that although it is "basic" the "location of it is very good".
Juliane Rodger, who is from Southampton, said that it "could do with some toilet facilities" but that ultimately it is "well located and easy to find".
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