The refurbishment of Cromwell Road Bus Station cost Transport for London (TfL) £16.5 million, £9.5 million over the original forecast.
The station was closed for 15 months to facilitate construction and reopened behind schedule on Saturday 16 November, after several significant delays.
The bus station, described as “state-of-the-art” by TfL, has several new features including live bus times, enhanced LED lighting, better information screens and CCTV.
Eyebrows had already been raised about the refurbishment and its value for money before TfL disclosed the updated figure to the Kingston Courier on Wednesday (20 November).
Jourdan Talbot, a Kingston resident, said:
“Literally, [it is] the most pointless project to take place. The hassle this brought with traffic. All for what? A bus station in a different colour…and let’s not get started on the cost.”
An initial estimate for the work put the overall cost at £7 million, with the contract date set from 1 June 2021 to 31 December 2022.
Image: Residents have complained the site lacks basic protections from harsh weather and does not provide value for money (Credit: TfL)
Lack of overhead coverage at the site criticised
Delays caused to construction included a steel subcontractor working with TfL going bust midway through the project, as well as a high-pressure water pipe being found beneath the site which was not represented on the area plans.
Missing features which residents said they would like to have seen incorporated into the new designs included a proper roof to protect from the rain in winter.
People who use the stop say there are fewer seats for customers and less overhead coverage than the previous bus station.
Pete Sharpe said: “I actually don’t mind the weathered steel rustiness of the new [station]. But it’s so narrow that it’ll only keep you dry if there’s literally no wind.”
The Kingston Courier has asked TfL for a cost breakdown of the refurbishment.
