St Helens transport interchange plans submitted

The creation of a bigger and better bus station in the town is a key part of the council’s £100m regeneration vision, being brought forward by ECF – Vinci Construction is the contractor for the scheme.

St Helens’ upgraded interchange, to be constructed on the site of the existing facility, will feature two concourse buildings, commercial units, WCs, a travel centre, and ticket and information points.

Under proposed plans, St Helens Interchange would have the capacity for 11 bus stands and seven bus lay-bys – the current station can host only nine buses.

According to a design and access statement submitted by Austin-Smith: Lord, the concourse at the north of the application site would provide 7,770 sq ft of waiting room space, while the south side concourse would provide a further 5,600 sq ft for passengers.

VINCI Building has submitted a reserved matters application to St Helens Council in what is the final stage of the planning process for the transformation of the town centre.

The contractor has already begun the required demolition of the Hardshaw Centre to clear ground for the interchange’s development.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “We’re putting the public back into public transport by building a system that’s greener, more affordable and accessible, with local people at its heart.

“The investment from the LCR is just one element of a much bigger plan to create the London-style, integrated transport network our region deserves.”

Access layouts between Bickerstaffe Street and the interchange would be altered to open up the station space to create a ‘green gateway’ to the town.

Furthermore, the Gamble Building, which is directly to the west of the 24-acre application site, would be revitalised by the creation of a civic square on its doorstep.

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Cllr Antony Burns, Leader of St Helens Council, said: “Equipping St Helens borough with a well-connected, integrated, and accessible public transport system is a key aim of the town centre regeneration programme.

“The St Helens Interchange will make sure the town’s long-term public transport needs are met, seamlessly providing a more efficient operational layout and vastly improving the experience of passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.”

He added: “Together with the public realm, it will form a key gateway into the town centre, in a vibrant, and welcoming high-quality public space.”

The plans would increase the capacity of St Helens’ bus station. Credit: via Influential

All landscaping and public realm enhancements, including the installation of street furniture, have been designed by Planit.

Funding for the St Helens Interchange project has been derived from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the government’s Towns Fund.

St Helens Council hopes that the change, namely a 20% increase in footways, will encourage active travel, protect pedestrians, and improve the aesthetic of the area.

The application, submitted on VINCI’s behalf by CBRE, follows last year’s public consultation, to which reactions have been generally positive.

St Helens Interchange makes up just one part of the ECF’s £100m regeneration of St Helens, of which the council is contributing £70m.

A Market Hall, with a mixed-use area adjacent to a 120-key Hampton by Hilton hotel, 64 homes built to Passivhaus standards, a 75,000 sq ft office, and 11,000 sq ft of commercial space are all included in the wider £100m regeneration plans.

Work is expected to be completed in time for the LCRCA’s franchised bus network to service the town in 2026.

Eddisons, Sandy Brown, Groundsure Insights, TEP, and FutureServ are all on the project team.

To view the reserved matters application, use the planning reference number P/2025/0235/RES in St Helens Council’s planning portal.