PLANS surrounding the creation of a temporary bus station in St Helens town centre - a key piece in the plan to start regeneration works -  will be finalised in the new year, sources have told the Star.

Earlier in the year, it was reported that an area near Chalon Way West, close to the Tontine multi-storey car park, has been identified as the most likely site for the temporary station.

The existing Bickerstaffe Street station is set to be flattened and rebuilt as part of major regeneration works around the Hardshaw Centre, which are due to begin in 2024.

However, while that work is taking place another station will be needed as a hub for the town's buses and their passengers.

Talks between the council and Merseytravel over possible locations have been ongoing, with the potential costs one of the issues that has needed ironing out.

Central location

The area of Chalon Way is thought to be favoured because of its central location and position near to Church Square Shopping Centre, although changes to the road layout would be needed.

This is a separate area from the site where a long-delayed box park-style leisure venue will be created.

READ MORE: An in-depth look at St Helens regeneration plans

It is believed some of the retailers which remain in the Hardshaw Centre have been reluctant to agree on a relocation until they know where the station will be temporarily housed.

Ahead of Christmas, TJ Hughes was the latest store to relocate from the Hardshaw Centre to Church Square, but the likes of Heron Foods remain.

Speaking earlier this year, one source described finding a solution to the temporary bus station issue as an "important piece in the jigsaw".

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which tasks Merseytravel with the delivery of transport, has told the Star previously that it was working closely with St Helens Council to "identify a suitable, central location" for a temporary bus station.