THE final piece of the financial jigsaw need to build Rawtenstall’s new bus station, a key element of plans to regenerate the town centre, was officially put in place yesterday.

Lancashire County Council bosses signed off the agreement needed agreed to put nearly £4million towards the public transport hub.

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The necessary decision was agreed yesterday by the authority’s deputy leader and finance chief, County Cllr David Borrow and its cabinet member for transport, County Cllr John Fillis.

It commits the county council to paying £3.4million towards its construction, and a further £512,000 towards ongoing maintenance.

This follows a recent decision by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board to put £1.9m Growth Deal funding towards the Spinning Point development which will be home to the new bus station.

The eight-stand bus station, which is included in the East Lancashire Masterplan, will be ideally located to serve the town centre and new retail and office space proposed as part of Spinning Point.

It will supporting the existing high-quality bus links within Lancashire and into Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

The bus station will be delivered by Rossendale Council which has agreed to build and own the facility, and operate the station for 25 years with the help of the county council’s £512,000 contribution towards the building’s maintenance.

County Cllr Fillis said: “Good transport links are fundamental to support our economy and help people access opportunities and go about their lives, whether they need to get to work, school or college, or visit family and friends.

“I’m glad to agree the significant investment needed to deliver Rawtenstall’s new bus station, an important part of Rossendale Council’s plans to regenerate this area and secure a healthy economic future for the town.”

Stuart Sugarman, Rossendale council’s chief executive said:“We are delighted to have final confirmation of the funding for the bus station. This really brings the project to life.”

“Investment of this scale will bring huge improvements to commuters, and generally boost the wider Rawtenstall economy.”

Earlier this month it was confirmed that the main tenant for what remains of the Old Town Hall, in Bacup Road, will be Together Housing.

Graham Cowley, chair of the LEP’s Growth Deal Management Board, said: “Good quality public transport interchanges in particular are crucial for connecting local communities to local businesses, and the development of Spinning Point is part of a wider integrated strategy for Lancashire.”