Rutland County Council to turn Jules House near Oakham Memorial Hospital into transport hub using levelling up funding
A site has been chosen as a hub for a new multi-million pound transport initiative.
Rutland County Council and Melton Borough Council have been awarded £23 million of levelling up funding for projects designed to have a lasting impact for residents and visitors to the area.
One element of Rutland’s bid was to deliver key transport improvements.
As part of this Jules House, a former community centre near the Oakham Memorial Hospital which belongs to the council, has been announced as a central site for the transport initiative.
Penny Sharp, strategic director of places at Rutland County Council, said: “As part of our ambitions for the secured funding, we were eager to utilise our existing building stock and land but reimagine it into spaces benefiting the community.
“The site in Cold Overton Road presented a fantastic opportunity to cement a lasting impact and legacy and provide essential services to local residents.
“The new facilities will enhance the existing public transport services providing connectivity to the train station, Oakham town and to services in other parts of the county.”
The semi-detached house will be refurbished and, subject to planning permission, extended.
Outside new parking will be created as well as a turning space for mini-buses.
The first floor will be rented as an office space to help fund the scheme.
The transport project will include a £3 million investment in a new fleet of buses and other equipment to improve bus services.
A new network of bus routes will be introduced with local journeys serviced by a fleet of three electric minibuses.