A MAKEOVER for the Theatre Royal bus interchange in the next stage of the Reinvigorate York project will be considered by City of York Council’s Cabinet next week.

The plans are also part of the “Better Bus Area” fund and they aim to see a refurbished Exhibition Square re-open in May 2015.

This is when the Art Gallery is also set to reopen after its refurbishment.

Work on the £270,000 scheme for the Theatre Royal interchange will have to start this summer to meet the deadline, and will see more space made for pedestrians and bus passengers by reducing the size of the existing bus lay-by; two replacement bus shelters; real time bus information screens; as well as better seats for bus passengers.

Cabinet member for transport Cllr David Levene said: “Exhibition Square is a crucial location for a number of well-used bus services, but the environment at the Theatre Interchange is currently poor both for bus passengers and other pedestrians using the area.

“Through ring-fenced bus-improvement funds as part of the Better Bus Area programme, as well as Reinvigorate York investment in the city centre, the council will make Exhibition Square a better place for residents, visitors, and commuters to use and enjoy.”

Proposals for the Exhibition Square aspect of the project will be separately taken to Cabinet in September and works will follow on from the Theatre Interchange project.