
Thetford Bus Interchange Relocation
Thetford Bus Interchange was relocated to its current site between Minstergate and St Nicholas Street in a controversial £3.8M project, which was completed in 2015. The former Cosy Carpets building alongside St Nicholas Street was compulsorily purchased in 2013. It was renovated by Norfolk County Council at the public expense, but never put to any use. The compulsory purchase order was appealed by the former owner, and in 2020 Norfolk County Council settled out of court, returning the ownership of the building to him. The former site by the river on Bridge Street was used for the Thetford Riverside Development.
- Thetford Bus Interchange on OneThetford
- Official Bus Interchange Page from Norfolk County Council
Objections to Re-Location and Local Referendum
A non-binding local referendum was called and held on Tuesday 9th August 2011. Turnout was relatively low at 14%, but of the 2300 people who took part, 1,921 or 83.5% voted aginst the bus station move. Despite the result, the District and County councils decided to go ahead with the move, claiming the low turnout was a sign that most people did not feel strongly about the plans.
Documents and Press Coverage
- Thetford Bus Station Relocation Final Report, Mott MacDonald for Breckland District Council and Norfolk County Council, May 2007.
- Thetford residents call for referendum, Eastern Daily Press, 2nd December 2010.
- Thetford bus station anger grows, Thetford & Brandon Times, 5th May 2011.
- Vote No campaigners put forward alternative plans for Thetford bus station upgrade, Thetford & Brandon Times, 3rd August 2011.
- Thetford bus station public poll ends in 'no' vote, BBC News, 10th August 2011.
- Thetford bus station plans given go-ahead despite objections, BBC News, 30th July 2012.
- Thetford bus station can go ahead after appeal is turned down, Thetford & Brandon Times, 11th November 2013.
- Couple compensated with £24,000 after removing objection to Thetford bus station, Thetford & Brandon Times, 18th December 2013.
- New Thetford bus station will be big improvement, says coach operator, Eastern Daily Press, 25th February 2015.
- Council look to sell off buildings bought for Thetford bus interchange project, Eastern Daily Press, 1st June 2016.
- Frustration as building sits empty seven years after compulsory purchase, Eastern Daily Press, 15th May 2020.
- Council accused of ‘wasting’ £1m after building returned to owner following seven-year compulsory purchase battle, Thetford & Brandon Times, 6th November 2020.
- Confirmed: Council spent £1m on seven-year compulsory purchase battle, Thetford & Brandon Times, 19th November, 2020.