THE closure of Exeter bus station will not impact commuters in the Launceston, Bude and Holsworthy areas, writes Christine Williams.

The long postponed closure of Exeter bus station came into effect on Sunday, June 17, to allow work to commence on a replacement which is due to open in two years’ time.

As a result departures and arrival points of some bus services have been relocated to dedicated stands on nearby streets.

For example, National Express and Megabus coaches now operate from Stand 31 in Sidwell Street and Exeter Airport services from Cheeke Street.

Another consequence is that visiting coach parties will no longer be able to use the bus station for dropping off and parking up when they visit the city.

However, Stagecoach route 6, serving Okehampton, Holsworthy and Bude, and 6A, serving Okehampton, Launceston and Bude, will continue to operate from one of seven bays which will remain in use in the bus station. The travel shop and toilets will remain open.

The closure follows a hike in car parking charges, which are affecting residents of North Cornwall and North Devon who need to leave their vehicles in Exeter city centre in order to travel upcountry by coach.

Tariffs in the Guildhall, Mary Arches and John Lewis car parks have risen to £15 per day and the charge in the Triangle car park near the bus station has risen from £6 per day to £10.

Barbara Jones, Exeter City Council’s public realm customer services co-ordinator for car parking services said the council wanted to make the city less congested and car-reliant by discouraging private car use and increasing use of public transport, cycling and walking.

“No account was taken of the infrequent or non-existent bus services to Exeter from the remote and rural parts of Devon and Cornwall.

She also said the additional revenue would go to support the city’s services such as bin collection.