MK Council have finally released their proposals for the redevelopment of Station Square in Central Milton Keynes.

Anyone that has had the misfortune to travel over the current road surface of pot holes and loose brickwork will know it’s been a long time coming.

There are two options that the Council have whittled their ideas down to, Which there is an image of each below.

Option 1

Key points:

* Plant trees to extend boulevard effect
* Uses proportions of CMK grid
* Reduces pedestrian/vehicular conflict
* Clear views and routes to underpass
* Transport located to sides of square

Option 2

* Plant trees to extend boulevard effect
* Less focus on proportions of CMK grid
* Reduces pedestrian / vehicular conflict
* Clear views / routes to underpass
* Less land given over to transport purposes than option 1
* Reduced size of land used by current transport layout
* Allows for two large grass areas

I personally prefer Option 1, Mainly because there are more bus bays than Option 2 and buses enter and exit the square through different roads, Whereas Option 2 has them using the same one road, I can see that becoming a bit of a pain with the amount of buses that pass Station Square.

Option 1 has a Bus Setdown point, Just before the bays, Something that will become very handy for buses that terminate at the Rail Station, stopping them from blocking up bays for through routes, Option 2 doesn’t seem to have this.

Also, Option 1 has 3 bays just for Coach services, The X4, X5 and VT99, completely separate and away from the bus bays, Whereas Option 2 has the coaches sharing the same space as Bus Layovers, Far from Ideal.

I’d be interested to hear what you each think of both options and which ones you prefer in the post comments, and you can take part in the council consultation by clicking here before 27th April 2009.