As part of the £100m transformation on St Helens town centre the existing bus station will close in May ahead of the construction of a new transport interchange. Tony McDonough reports

St Helens town centre’s current bus station will close in May ahead of the construction of a new transport interchange.

In the next stage of the £100m transformation of the town centre, the station in Bickerstaffe Street will close following the last service on Saturday, May 17. Services that currently operate from the existing bus station will instead be rerouted across the town centre.

Most services will arrive and depart from a new, temporary bus hub located on Chalon Way West.

It features a travel centre, seven bus shelters, passenger information boards, and new pedestrian crossing points at both the Bridge Street and Market Street ends of Chalon Way West. Upgraded lighting and CCTV has also been installed to enhance safety. 

A small number of services will use the existing stops and shelters on Bridge Street, Shaw Street and Westfield Street rather than the temporary hub.

In early April plans were submitted for a new transport interchange in the town on an extended footprint of the current site. This will be delivered with funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and from the UK Government Towns Fund.

This facility will aim to improve the experience and safety of those travelling by bus, cycle and pedestrians. Funding includes enhancements to the public realm to provide walking and cycling links between the interchange and the town’s train station.

It will create new, unique public spaces in the town centre. These spaces will include a space to the new front door of the Gamble building – a new civic square between the interchange and the Gamble Building.

St Helens Interchange is being brought forward by St Helens Council and ECF, a partnership formed of Homes England, Legal & General and Muse, with financial support from the Combined Authority via the CRSTS (City Region Transport Settlement). Main contractor on the scheme is VINCI Building.

Cllr Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth & Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said: “Improving public transport is at the heart of our vision for a more attractive, welcoming, and people-friendly town centre.

“The new St Helens Interchange will help meet our long-term transport needs by delivering a more efficient layout and significantly enhancing the experience for passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.”

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Merseytravel has set up a dedicated website to provide more information about the changes. Advance notices have also been posted on all affected bus stands, guiding passengers where to catch their bus from across the town centre.

And Merseytravel staff will be on-site during the initial weeks to assist passengers in navigating the facility and directing them to the correct bus stands, ensuring a smooth transition.