Proposals for a new greener, more accessible and comfortable transport interchange in the heart of St Helens town centre have been submitted for planning approval.
Being delivered with £32m funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and additional funding from the Towns Fund, the new St Helens Interchange will vastly improve the experience and safety of those travelling by bus, cyclists and pedestrians and create a new welcoming and green arrival point in St Helens town centre.
Artists impression of the new St Helens Transport Interchange development which will improve bus, rail and active travel connectivity in St Helens town centre
The funding includes major enhancements to the public realm to improve direct walking and cycling links between the interchange and the town’s train station, and create new, unique public spaces to the town centre. These include ‘Gamble Square’ – a stunning new civic square between the interchange and the Gamble Building.
The Reserved Matters planning application has been submitted by Vinci Construction, which is working with St Helens Borough Council and its development partner ECF to deliver the town centre’s once-in-a-generation regeneration.
The application follows a public consultation held at the end of 2024 which drew 129 members of the public to feedback events and found that three quarters (72%) supported the proposals for the new Interchange, two thirds (68%) supported the Gamble Square proposals.
The interchange itself will feature two fully enclosed concourses offering spacious and sheltered bus waiting areas, a new travel centre and accessible toilets – including a Changing Places facility.
Featuring street furniture, lighting, CCTV, trees and soft landscaping, Gamble Square will both connect and celebrate some of St Helens’ key buildings, new and old – including the Gamble Building, the Theatre Royal and the forthcoming Hampton by Hilton hotel, all of which will benefit from views across the square.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “It’s great to see the project to deliver a brand-new transport interchange for St Helens town centre continuing to move forward. The £32m investment, only possible because St Helens is part of the Liverpool City Region, is just one element of a much bigger plan to create the London-style, integrated transport network our region deserves.
“We’re committed to putting the ‘public’ back into public transport by building a system that’s greener, more affordable and more accessible, with local people at its heart. When the first franchised bus services roll out next year, they’ll be serving this brand-new interchange, connecting communities and linking people with opportunities. It’s an important step forward in delivering a transport network that’s fit for the future.”
Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “Equipping St Helens with a well-connected, integrated, and accessible public transport system is a key aim of the town centre regeneration. 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, cycles and pedestrians
“Together with the new Gamble Square, it will form a key gateway into the town centre, where pedestrians and cycles will take priority in a vibrant and welcoming high-quality public space.”
Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager at ECF, said: “The St Helens Interchange and Gamble Square will create an attractive, green and accessible arrival point befitting the soon to be redeveloped town centre. With clearer, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, de-cluttered streets and a self-contained space for buses to layover, these proposals would improve access to key destinations across the town centre, while creating capacity for St Helens to welcome larger and more sustainable buses in the future.”
The interchange building benefits from highly sustainable design which includes using recycled, natural and local materials. Solar panels on the main roof will capture energy from the sun and each pod building will feature a green living roof. New greenery introduced in planters at numerous locations across the pedestrian space, will help increase biodiversity.
Its features include:
- 11 Stands, an increase on the current facility (which has 9). This is to support the aims of regeneration and bus franchising
- All bus parking moved into the new facility to provide a safer operating environment and safer spaces for pedestrians
- A fully enclosed dry, comfortable and temperature-controlled environment
- Automatic doors at each departure stand
- Level bus boarding throughout and step-free access providing a much more pleasant and safe environment for passengers
- Real-time service information for both buses and trains
- Secure indoor and outdoor cycle parking and wayfinding
- Improved lighting and CCTV coverage, enhancing safety and security
Using the latest best practice and taking advice from local user groups, the interchange has been designed with accessibility in mind, to ensure all users’ needs and characteristics are catered for. This includes step-free access throughout, clear signage and information, including the use of digital and audio announcements, sensitive use of materials, colours and tactile surfaces, acoustic panels to dampen sound and high-quality, adjustable lighting.
The St Helens Interchange is being brought forward by St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a partnership formed of Homes England, Legal & General and Muse, with financial support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via the CRSTS (City Region Transport Settlement), a £710m fund dedicated to delivering major transport projects in the region.
The project is set for completion in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of the first franchised bus services in St Helens. To be rolled out across the city region by the end of 2027, the new franchised network will allow greater local control of fares, timetables and routes.
The St Helens Interchange is just one element of the first phase of the £100m regeneration of St Helens. The wider plans will transform 24-acres of the town centre with a new Market Hall, flanked by a mixed-use area set around a 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, 64 stunning new homes, a 75,000 sq ft office and 11,000 sq ft of modern retail space, along with extensive high quality public spaces.
PIC-LIVERPOOL CITY REGION
