Bishop Auckland’s transport hub features 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.
The bus station is fully accessible, with anti-slip flooring and seating as well as wheelchair spaces at the front of each passenger waiting area. The area surrounding the bus station has also been landscaped, with paved areas, drainage systems, street lighting installed.
More than 120 hot rolled steel girders weighing a total of 23.49 tonne were installed on the building, having been fabricated less than two miles from the development by South Durham Structures Ltd.
A variety of sustainable technologies serve to boost the building’s environmental credentials feature within the design, including solar photo voltaic panels on the roof, a rainwater harvesting and re-use system and a Sedum green living roof to promote biodiversity.
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.
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 and boost its standing as a thriving market town and visitor destination.
“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 project has delivered £2.2 million 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.
Bishop Auckland Bus Station has been developed using £11.8 million of funding from the Future High Streets Fund.
