A brand-new bus station in Bishop Auckland is set to open to the public this weekend.
Durham County Council will officially unveil the new Bishop Auckland Bus Station on Sunday 10 May.
Built on the site of the former station on Saddler Street in the town centre, the new transport hub has been designed to provide a safe, modern and welcoming space for both residents and visitors, complete with upgraded facilities.
The bus station, constructed by Esh Construction and designed by Jacobs on behalf of the council, will feature new and improved passenger information with live updates; CCTV; toilet facilities, including accessible toilets, a changing places unit and a parent and child facility; and a retail kiosk.
It will also be fully accessible, with anti-slip flooring and seating as well as wheelchair spaces at the front of each passenger waiting area.
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said:
“The completion of Bishop Auckland Bus Station is a major step in our plans to regenerate Bishop Auckland.
“The bus station looks fantastic and will provide the local community with modern, up-to-date facilities so they can access opportunities within the county and beyond. It will also serve as a positive welcome for visitors travelling into the centre for Bishop Auckland’s growing culture, heritage and events offer.
“In addition, the site provides ample car parking with more than 120 new spaces for visitors to use. This will help to bring people into the town, address parking shortages, and reduce pressure on residential areas. This is a big step for Bishop Auckland, and we’re excited to welcome the first passengers.”
The area surrounding the bus station has also been landscaped, with paved areas, drainage systems, street lighting installed.
Alongside the bus station, there will also be a new 124-space car park, with accessible spaces for wheelchairs and Blue Badge holders and parking for motorcycles. There will also be electric vehicle charging points and bicycle parking.
The Bishop Auckland Bus Station project has delivered £2.2m in social value, with 37 weeks of work experience and T-Level time provided to County Durham students; 55 weeks of work on site by County Durham veterans and reservists; 97 hours of STEM and employability skills delivered in schools and education settings; and a £2.2m spend in County Durham’s supply chain.
Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said:
“Esh is proud to have delivered a modern, fully accessible transport hub that will play an important role in supporting Bishop Auckland’s regeneration and strengthening local connectivity.
“Working closely with Durham County Council, this project reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure that serves communities across the region, while also creating meaningful social value and opportunities locally.”
Once the bus station has opened, work will start to remove the temporary bus stops on Newgate Street, Tenters Street and Saddler Street.
Bishop Auckland Bus Station has been developed using £11.8 million of funding from the Future High Streets Fund.
