AN extension to Oldham bus station was constructed to appear 'bright and airy'.

However, more than four months after vandals set fire to a bus there the £2.2m West Street building looks anything but.

The blackened roof has not been replaced prompting one bus user to contact the M.E.N. and describe the situation as 'ridiculous'.

The extension opened in September. Coun Brian Ames, Oldham spokesman for the Greater Manchester Transport Executive, said it had been designed to let in the 'maximum possible level of natural light'.

He said the facility would be 'modern, safe, secure and comfortable' and would be 'welcoming and inviting'.

But in December passengers and a driver had to flee a bus next to the extension when it was set on fire.

The bus station was closed for a week while emergency repairs were carried out.

M.E.N. reader Chris Hall, from Oldham, said: "To spend all that money on a bus station and then just to leave it like this is ludicrous.

Absolute mess

"It looks an absolute mess. It's not as though the fire happened recently, it's been a long time now.

"The building is right at the heart of the town centre and visitors see it when they come here. It's doing nothing for the image of the place and it's a shame because it looked really well when it opened."

Paul Griffiths, from GMPTE, said that work to fully repair the extension was ongoing but it `required more than a lick of paint'.

He said: "We have had to commission a series of surveys to assess the extent of the damage and then agree the costs for repairing it with contractors and our insurers, which obviously takes some time.

"The finish to the ceiling needs to be replaced and there will also be some redecoration.

"We will work with the contractors to get this done as soon as possible."

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