St Helens Borough Council in the UK has announced the commencement of demolition work next month, paving the way for the new St Helens Transport Interchange and Gamble Square in the town centre.

UK-based builder Vinci Building, the appointed lead contractor, will begin the process around the existing St Helens Bus Station on 10 March 2025.

The majority of bus services will continue as usual with the onset of initial works in early March.

Some services will be reallocated to different stands within the bus station or to a temporary stand on Bickerstaffe Street.

This is in preparation for the existing bus station's closure and the activation of the Temporary Bus Hub at Chalon Way.

The new St Helens Transport Interchange, which will be built on the extended footprint of the current bus station, aims to enhance connectivity between bus and rail services and promote greener transport options.

The project, supported by £32m ($39.7m) from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and additional national Towns Fund financing, is set for completion in 2026.

St Helens Borough Council cabinet member for Inclusive Growth & Regeneration and councillor Richard McCauley said: "A huge amount of work has already taken place across St Helens town centre to facilitate earliest delivery of our ambitious transformation plans - including the diversion of existing utility apparatus and creating essential new electricity infrastructure, clearing vacant buildings and construction work for the Temporary Bus Hub.

"But these forthcoming demolition works are set to be the most visible sign of progress so far and the exciting things to come.” 

The interchange is a key component of the first phase of St Helens' £100m regeneration plan. The overall redevelopment plan includes a new Market Hall, a 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, 64 new homes, and 11,000ft² of retail space, along with revitalised public areas.

The 20-year partnership between St Helens Borough Council and its development partner the English Cities Fund is focused on the borough's transformation, with the regeneration of the Earlestown and St Helens town centres as primary objectives.

Recently, construction company HH Smith & Sons was contracted by the council to restore the historic Earlestown Town Hall, a 125-year-old landmark in Merseyside.