IT may not be the biggest, most grand or expensive construction in the country, but Blackwood's new bus station has scooped the prestigious title of 'Welsh Building of the Year'.

The £2.4 million glass-fronted building beat off competition from across Wales to be named the Consortium of Local Authorities Wales Building of the Year 2007.

Built to replace the decaying brick bus station, which had become plagued by anti-social behaviour, the new building was designed by Caerphilly council's own architect.

It has a host of facilities, including nine sheltered waiting bays and a heated waiting lobby for passengers, a cafe, a rest room for bus drivers and attendant-managed public toilets and baby changing facilities.

The result is a strikingly modern building that provides improved visibility and accessibility for passengers and drivers.

Caerphilly council says the station provides a "more welcoming, modern passenger environment" and is an "attractive gateway" to Blackwood.

The council's cabinet member for transport and planning, councillor Keith Griffiths, said the council is "delighted", and added: "This new bus station is the focal point of the town centre and greatly improves services for shoppers and passengers alike."

The competition is open to all CLAW members, which includes all 22 Welsh local authorities and some Welsh fire and police authorities.

They can enter more than one building, but they have to have been completed between July two years prior to the award year and June of the award year.

Blackwood bus station was up against 21 other public buildings across Wales, including schools, visitor centres and even public conveniences.

An independent panel of judges decided the winner.

New design gets thumbs-up We spoke to passengers and staff at the bus station, who were all in agreement.

Dennis Jones, a 54-year-old council worker from Penllwyn, said: "I think the design is excellent, and the access is fantastic for disabled people. It's money well spent."

But, he added: "The work should have been done twenty years ago."

Joanne Davies, 29, goes to Blackwood every day by bus from her home in Ystrad Mynach.

She said: "It's lovely, much better than the other one. The toilets are much better. You have to pay but they are clean and tidy with no graffiti.

"I think it deserves to be named building of the year."

Jim Edwards used to run Jim's Fish Bar, near the bus station, and now owns The Plaza cafe, part of the new facility.

He said: "I think it's a great design and the customers like the style of the building."

David Smart, 23-year-old Stagecoach bus driver from Blackwood, said: "I can't really knock it.

I think the customers are pretty pleased with it overall.

"I think the waiting room is a great idea. It's not bad for the money spent.'