Bus drivers told to avoid busy terminus

National Express West Midlands drivers have been told to avoid using a Black Country bus interchange because it is too dangerous.

Drivers on the company's 404 and 405 services running between Walsall and parts of Sandwell have been instructed to avoid the interchange in Bradford Place, Walsall.

The order, which follows a risk assessment, has cut the number of buses using the interchange by almost 30 an hour.

It follows news yesterday that Centro is in talks with owner Walsall Council about taking over control of the interchange.

If that happens, the council could lease the land to Centro which would give the transport authority powers to regulate the area like a bus station.

Centro has also unveiled long-term hopes of expanding the interchange into a second bus station for the town, which would help it to cope with the number of buses. The town already has a bus station in St Paul's Street.

National Express West Midlands switched its 404 and 405 services to new bus stops in nearby Bradford Street in June. The company said today it had no intention of returning to the interchange despite other bus companies still using it.

Company spokeswoman Carly O'Donnell said: "We took the decision to relocate our 404 and 405 bus services to Bradford Street to ease congestion at the Bradford Place interchange. We are committed to creating a safe environment for customers boarding our services and fully support Walsall Council and Centro in improving Bradford Place."

Walsall Transport Users Forum said in a recent report: "National Express West Midlands reported that Bradford Place was a dangerous area, and its risk assessment had shown this. National Express West Midlands has told us it will not move services back to Bradford Place interchange because of safety reasons."