Construction of St Helens' temporary bus station now underway

Ahead of the plans to construct a new £32m 'Multi Modal Interchange' in St Helens town centre, a temporary bus station has been agreed to be installed along Chalon Way West.

As part of the council's wider regeneration plans, the Multi Modal Interchange will include a new and improved bus station as well as improved walking and cycling routes, and a new 'Gamble Square' behind the Gamble Building.

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Residents have noticed contractors gearing up for the works (Image: St Helens Star) With residents noticing hoardings and contractors gearing up around Chalon Way West recently, the temporary station is aimed to be completed early next year.

Once the Vinci-led project is completed, it will include a travel centre, seven new bus shelters and new pedestrian crossing points at both the Bridge Street and Market Street ends of Chalon Way West.

Devised by the Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and ECF, working with public transport operators, the pans aim to ensure that travel remains safe, easy and straightforward while the town centre undergoes its multi-million-pound transformation.

The current Bickerstaffe Street station is planned to close next spring (Image: St Helens Star) When the temporary station opens, the current bus station on Bickerstaffe Street will close to allow demolition to commence and make way for the construction of a new, extended and modern St Helens Interchange.

The council says that Chalon Way West was chosen as the location for the bus hub because it offers easy access to shops, amenities, and employment areas in the town centre and represented the least disruptive option.

All bus services that currently depart from the existing bus station on Bickerstaffe Street will do so from the new temporary bus hub, while a full timetable and a guide to where passengers can catch their bus will be published and shared well in advance of the temporary bus hub opening early next year.

The transport interchange includes a new bus station and new 'Gamble Square' (Image: St Helens Council/ ECF) A dedicated, free-to-use, accessible car park has been opened on Parade Street, to replace blue badge parking spaces relocated to make way for the temporary bus hub.

Both parking locations have benefitted from upgrades to ensure they provide safe and disability access in the town centre, in addition to 94 blue badge parking spaces that will continue to be available around the town centre at on-street locations and within other car parks.

Four new 24-hour taxi ranks have also been created in the town centre, to ensure taxis remain convenient and close to areas of high footfall. These are located on Bridge Street, Church Street, and Shaw Street.

Following the construction of the new temporary bus hub, the next step will be the closure of the Hardshaw Centre for the redevelopment of that site.

The station is planned to be completed early next year (Image: St Helens Star) Councillor Richard McCauley Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth & Regeneration said: “Construction starting on site at the new temporary bus hub marks the start of an exciting time for our town. It has set plans in motion for the delivery of a once-in-a-lifetime regeneration opportunity.

“Central to our strategy has been ensuring travel around the town centre remains safe, easy and straightforward, keeping the town centre on the move and open for business while this transformation takes place.

“The regeneration programme is focussed on providing a St Helens town centre for the future as well as offering places for people to live, work and visit. As such, we’ve provided opportunities for local contractors to work throughout the project, contributing to our local economy.

“Construction of this scale will inevitably include some temporary disruption, for which we apologise in advance, but we have a robust and well-thought-out strategy to keep any disturbance to a minimum.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Vinci - and our ongoing conversations with the local community - to make sure that the new temporary bus hub is delivered in the best way possible.”

Full details of the changes and planned diversions for walking and driving routes have been published at a dedicated website here: www.sthelenstowncentre.co.uk.​