NEWPORT’s bus station is heading for demolition as work is set to start on the redevelopment of the city centre this autumn.

A bus station at Market Square is planned to open on October 28, the same day the old one shuts – but it won’t be big enough for all the city’s buses, and plans are in place for services to be relocated around the city centre.

Meanwhile, a newsagent in Newport is set to shut up his shop in the bus station after 23 years because of the demolition work.

The old bus station beneath the Capitol car park is being replaced as part of plans for the Friars Walk shopping and leisure complex, and once work is complete the city will have two bus stations.

According to the city centre’s transport plan three bus stops currently used by Megabus and private coaches in Kingsway will be needed for regular services.

Nine bays in Queensway will also be retained, resulting in a total of 25 bays or bus stops being available while a southern bus station is unavailable.

Demolishing the bus station will involve the loss of the taxi rank – but the council is looking at plans for a rank in Upper Dock Street, next to the former passport office.

Construction work will result in the loss of 17 parking spaces for the disabled in the city centre, but 126 will remain with 13 provided in the car park under the northbound slip road once the new bus station opens.

Pradip Kotecha, 54, is to close his newsagents business, ANP News, in the bus station next week ahead of the demolition.

Mr Kotecha, who moved to Newport with his wife, Harshida, to set up the shop in 1990 and is also a photographer, said he will miss his customers.

He said: “Over the 23 years we have been in Newport we have had to make some tough decisions and we have seen Newport grow and change from good to better, especially when it got city status.

“Although saddened with the forced closure of our newsagent and almost tearful, we are truly happy for Newportonians because they deserve what is hopefully coming their way – a better shopping mall with better surroundings.”

For more details about temporary bus stands visit www.newport.gov.uk/redevelopment.