REGENERATION bosses are weighing up options for where to locate a temporary bus station during St Helens town centre’s transformation.

The £80m first phase of the town centre regeneration is set to begin in 2024.

A major part of the project will be the demolition of the current bus station on Bickerstaffe Street. A new station will be built in its space.

This means the regeneration team will need to find a temporary home for the bus station, as demolition work and subsequent construction will lead to disruption.

Possible locations around the town centre are being discussed with Merseytravel and bus operators.

Developers will be mindful that retailers will want any temporary transport hub located nearby stores so that they can benefit from footfall.

However, the needs of passengers will be critical to their thinking too, with bus services vital for many workplace commuters, families, pensioners and students.

The Star understands areas around Chalon Way are under consideration for the temporary station, although the precise location is not clear.

The council would not be drawn on this when asked by the Star, although the local authority did admit it is weighing up options.

In a statement, St Helens Borough Council said: “Options for a suitable temporary bus station during the first phase regeneration development continue to be explored with Merseytravel and bus operators, and updates on this situation will be shared in due course.”