Council bosses this week apologised for the new Slough Bus Station, also known as The Curve and “The Slug” – but blamed the consultation process not the design.

accepted that the consultation and communication process relating to the new bus station in central Slough was flawed, with many residents, particularly the elderly and disabled, not appreciating that it was open the elements.

SBC Director, John Rice, said “lessons have been learnt with the Curve. We are engaging with the elderly and disabled groups and discussions have been extensive.

The admission followed a request to review the consultation and the council’s communication with the public by Foxborough councillor Ted Plenty.

Cllr Plenty said:

“Once the bus station had opened, many residents came to me saying they did not know it was going to be an open bus station.
Many said it came as a surprise to them, and that made me question the consultation and its effectiveness.”

After its opening in May last year, the bus station has come under criticism for its modern design by people who regularly use the service, particularly the elderly.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, argued that the new design had gone a long way in changing perceptions of Slough, saying:

“We were trying to make an iconic building by tearing down the old perceptions of Slough, reversing Betjeman.

Although many elderly people dislike the design, many young people can relate to it and think it’s great.”