THE way is now clear for Warrington's new bus station - despite fears about how the £7million facility would cope in the event of an emergency.

Eleventh-hour concerns have been expressed by Legal and General, owners of Golden Square, over how shoppers would escape through the bus station concourse in the event of a fire.

Under the newly-revamped shopping centre, at least one of the main exits will be on the former Golborne Street/Winwick Street side of the complex.

But John Groves, the borough's development control manager, is confident that these issues can be satisfactorily addressed as the bus interchange takes shape and that it will meet the necessary fire regulations.

Council bosses are eager to advance the bus station proposals so that they can be progressed in tandem with the shopping centre redevelopment.

Mr Groves said: "This planning application is eminently capable of determination here and now with these details being dealt with as the scheme develops from planning proposals to fully-fledged proposals.

"While the Legal and General concerns are legitimate and valid and they should be given proper weight, we do not want to delay or refuse this application."

Proposals to replace the current bus station - considered to be unwelcoming and at times unsafe late at night - with the new interchange have been broadly welcomed.

Minor amendments have been made as the result of consultations, including the relocation of a toilet block from the top of Horsemarket Street to a more central spot within the bus station.

It is believed the package will provide a more attractive outlook for architecturally-signficant buildings on Winwick Street such as the Nat West Bank.

The plans have received funding from the Government and Legal and General.