BUS operators have described High Wycombe's new station as a breath of fresh air after its opening last week.

The new spacious state-of-the-art facility in Bridge Street has replaced the run-down and dingy station in Newlands Road as part of the Eden town centre redevelopment by construction firm Multiplex.

Michael Dearlove, 62, from Guinions Road, Micklefield, has been driving buses for almost 40 years and saw the old concrete bus station open in 1970.

Mr Dearlove, who now drives for Arriva, said: "I have always thought that the working conditions there were terrible. It is all so enclosed and you have got all the fumes from the buses.

"Hopefully this new bus station is more open and will be better for passengers and drivers."

Steve Burns, co-owner of the Carousel bus company, has welcomed the change from the old bus station.

He said: "I think it was out-of-date the day it opened. It wasn't very nice and hopefully the new one will be much better for customers."

In contrast the new bus shelter has a glass front to allow as much natural light as possible to come in.

Outside the front entrance 18 bus ports are lined up to pick up and drop off passengers, and inside there is plenty of seating.

A 24-hour public toilet with disabled facilities has also been provided which will be accessible by a door to the right of the main entrance when the bus station is closed.

Alan Peach, retail development director from Multiplex, said: "Now High Wycombe can boast of having a new bus station that sets a new standard in public transport facilities within the region."

Temple Street was closed off on Monday to allow the next stage of Eden to commence.

The old bus station will be demolished to make way for more retail space that will wrap around the back of Tesco.

Traffic coming from the west via Desborough Road is being routed left along Bridge Street and onto Oxford Road for the town centre, or right at Rutland Street and then left into Queen Alexandra Road on their way to Handy Cross.

Cars coming from the east up Abbey Way are still able to go down Lily's Walk, which will carry one-way traffic for access to the Desborough Road shops. Drivers heading for West Wycombe and Hughenden are unaffected by the new routes.