Processes to demolish Bracknell Bus station will start towards the end of this year, a leading Bracknell Forest Councillor has confirmed.

Councillor Paul Bidwell, executive member for economy and regeneration, spoke about the demolition as part of wider plans to revitalise Bracknell town centre in a recent interview with That’s TV Thames Valley.

Following the successful opening of the Lexicon shopping centre in 2017 through the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, Cllr Bidwell said the next ‘major development’, including the demolition of the high street carpark, would take place soon.

Bracknell Forest Council is redeveloping the ‘southern gateway’ area of the town centre, which includes the current bus station and ground near to the train station.

On the plans, Cllr Bidwell said: “What we want to do there is provide a mixed development of not just retail, commercial – but housing, essential worker housing, elderly housing. Also, we’d like to provide some community activity space.”

This will comprise of a new market square, according to a masterplan sketching out the next phase of regeneration, published in March.

The current bus stop will be relocated in a circuit around the edges of the new square, which the council says will ensure they remain accessible and close to the train station.

Plans surrounding the bus stop have proved controversial. Manager of the bus station cafeteria Chris Griggs previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the demolition would be a ‘crime’.

Other major changes taking place include the redevelopment of the old council offices, Eastampstead house, as well as the old magistrate’s court.

Note: This article has been amended since first published, as it wrongly stated that the demolition of Bracknell bus station would start at the end of this year.