County highway chiefs have moved to clear up confusion over improvements to Bromsgrove bus station after criticism that the work does not represent value for money.

The county council says that the aim of the £273,000 project, completed just before Christmas, was to revitalise some of the road infrastructure around Market Street. Town supermarket ASDA contributed £60,000 as part of its extension agreement, while Bromsgrove District Council put forward £100,000, with the county council making up the balance.

Some people, including the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council, have attacked the scheme, saying they cannot see where the cash has been spent.

But the county says this stems from a widespread belief that the intention was to revamp the station itself.

However, it points out that that proposal is part of the council's Local Transport Plan 2006/11 and work on that will not begin until at least after April, if it meets Government approval.

County councillor John Smith, (Con-Evesham north west) cabinet member for the environment, said: "We're very happy with the work that's been completed in Bromsgrove. There's been a lot of infrastructure improvements, including resurfacing Market Street and its side road, new traffic signal controllers, better street lighting and a new culvert to the brook to try and avert some of the flooding issues that arose last year.

"However, it was never the intention to actually refurbish the bus station itself with this scheme. But we are aware it needs doing and that's why we've included it in our proposed submission to Government as part of the Local Transport Plan, which also includes improvements to the train station."

Other improvements to the area included wider footpaths, anti-skid surfaces on approaches to traffic signals and new railings.