Swansea's long wait for a revamped bus station could be coming to an end.Council chiefs are expected to hear from the Assembly later this month if they are to get the cash needed to kickstart the multi-million redevelopment of the tatty Quadrant Bus Station.
It would mean work could finally begin this summer.Plans for a new bus station have been in the pipeline for years - and on hold for more than a year while council bosses wait for the cash to be made available by the Assembly.
The authority has planning permission in place and secured a deal for the land the buses use to turn round.But work cannot start until the cash is in place. It last year asked for a £15 million transport grant from the Assembly to help pay for the scheme but got just £6.4 million. It is thought it has asked for a similar sum again now.
Bus users have been calling for the area to be revamped as soon as possible.
It has been labelled dirty and shabby by passengers.Leo Markham, the Swansea-based spokesman for Bus Users UK, said work was long overdue.
He said: "I think it is one of those things that has got to happen. I appreciate the funding problems, but it really has got to happen, and the sooner the better."Mr Markham said the public had been waiting for a long time.
He said: "People have given up on complaining because it is so appalling.
"It is among the worst in South Wales but there are certainly stations that are as bad."Mr Markham said with all the new developments underway in the city, Swansea needed a quality bus station.
He said: "It will bring more people onto the buses."It is not a nice place to wait at the moment, it is quite unpleasant.
When you see new bus stations like those in Bridgend and Wrexham you can see what can be done. They have security, they are light, bright and warm and this encourages people - the Quadrant doesn't.
"But I think the city council have got to be applauded on their tenacity on this. They do realise it has to be done but their hands are tied until they get the money."It is quite an exciting development," he added.
A council spokesman said: "Plans for the redevelopment of the Quadrant Bus Station are well advanced.
"A full detailed planning permission is in place and a public inquiry has been held," he added.
"The council has made a transport grant bid to the Welsh Assembly Government to fund the redevelopment and an announcement is expected later this month.
If funding is approved, the work will begin on site in early summer."
