Victoria Coach Station

History

Victoria Coach Station was commissioned by London Coastal Coaches, a consortium of coach operators, and opened on 10 March 1932 by Minister of Transport John Pybus. Wallis, Gilbert and Partners' distinctive Art Deco building was originally built with spaces for 76 coaches, and a booking hall, shops, buffet, restaurant, lounge and bar. London Coastal Coaches' headquarters and other offices occupied upper floors.

During World War II coach travel was restricted and the War Office requisitioned the premises.

By the 1960s, operation of the station had passed through industry consolidation to Tilling Group and British Electric Traction, whence it was reorganised by the Transport Act 1968 to become part of National Bus Company. Subsequently it was transferred to London Transport in 1988, and Transport for London (TfL) in 2000.

Freehold owner, Grosvenor Group, announced in 2013 that it wished to redevelop the site and relocate station operations elsewhere in London, though the following year English Heritage designated the building Grade II listed. Nevertheless, several of TfL's leases on the station were due to expire by 2023 and proposals were made to relocate to Royal Oak, but in 2019 the move was abandoned.

Utilisation

Use of the coach station has increased from 2008 to 2018.

Data from 2008/2009 until 2019/2020 is for departing passengers only and both departing and arriving coaches.

Data from 2020/21 onwards is 'passenger movements through the site' and 'Domestic and International Accessible Departures'. TfL does not state a reason for the reporting being different.

Operators

, service operators include:

Financial

Profits for TfL subsidiary Victoria Coach Station Ltd have increased over recent years.

Controversy

In 2019, Transport for London was served a Fire Enforcement Notice after a "catalogue of major fire risks" were found by London Fire Brigade inspectors at Victoria Coach Station.

The deficiencies included holes in walls, which could cause a fire to spread; inadequate fire sprinkler systems that had been broken and out of use for more than two years, and obstructed exit routes used for storage. Fire experts described the situation as a "walking disaster area" and "by far the worst I've seen in a long time". Transport for London posted fire watchers.

References

References

1. (2017). "Annual Report and Financial Stements for the year to 31 March 2017". Victoria Coach Station Ltd.
2. (2014). "Annual Report for year ended 31 March 2014". Transport for London.
3. "Victoria Coach Station".
4. (11 March 1932). "New Coach Station Opened". [[The Times]].
5. "Victoria Coach Station – Celebrating 75 years of service". Transport for London.
6. "Victoria Coach Station".
7. "Coaches".
8. Spittles}}{{Dead link, David. (21 August 2013). "Victoria's £2-billion transformation as its coach station becomes a cultural quarter with homes, shops and arts venues". [[London Evening Standard]].
9. {{National Heritage List for England. (1 September 2014)
10. Prynn, Jonathan. (23 August 2019). "Victoria Coach Station: Plans dropped to move transport hub from its historic home after backlash". [[London Evening Standard]].
11. Prynn, Jonathan. (14 March 2019). "Plan to relocate Victoria coach station to Royal Oak is scrapped". [[London Evening Standard]].
12. (2018). "Annual Report and Financial Stements for the year to 31 March 2018". Victoria Coach Station Ltd.
13. (2016). "Annual Report and Financial Stements for the year to 31 March 2016". Victoria Coach Station Ltd.
14. (2014). "Annual Report and Financial Stements for the year to 31 March 2014". Victoria Coach Station Ltd.
15. (2012). "Annual Report and Financial Stements for the year to 31 March 2012". Victoria Coach Station Ltd.
16. (2010). "Annual Report and Financial Stements for the year to 31 March 2010". Victoria Coach Station Ltd.
17. "Coach companies".
18. Ahmed, Samah. (2019). "A catalogue of fire risks found at Victoria Coach Station".