Designs for New £32m St Helens Transport Interchange Revealed

Big things are happening in St Helens. Designs for a brand-new transport interchange and shiny civic square are about to hit the spotlight and they’re aiming to transform the town centre. Fancy a peek? The plans are being shown off this week before the next big planning application gets the go-ahead – all part of a grand scheme to regenerate the area.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Thanks to a whopping £32m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the St Helens Interchange is going to take things up a notch – and then some. It’s set to make travelling by bus, foot or bike a breeze, all while creating a greener, safer and all-around friendlier arrival spot in the heart of the town. Bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians: this one's for you.

The Interchange will do more than just look good. It’s all about connecting the dots. Buses, trains, walking paths and cycle routes will come together in a super-accessible hub, meaning less hassle and more green credentials. And here’s the kicker – it’ll be ready by 2026, just in time for the town’s first franchised bus services. By the time 2027 rolls around, St Helens will be part of a new bus network that’s locally controlled, giving the town more say over fares, timetables and routes. Win-win, right?

Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, couldn’t be more excited:

“This is more great news for St Helens and is only able to be delivered because they are a member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

“Buses are the backbone of our public transport, with over 80% of journeys in our region made by bus. But for far too long, people have been stuck with slow, expensive, and unreliable services. That’s why I made the decision to bring our buses back under public control—putting passengers before profits.

“This £32m investment in St Helens’ new interchange is part of a much bigger plan to create the London-style transport integrated network our region deserves. This isn’t just about shiny new buildings; it’s about making a real difference to people’s lives. We’re building a system that’s greener, safer, and more accessible, with local people at its heart. It will create local jobs, provide apprenticeship opportunities and benefit local supply chains.

“When the first franchised bus services roll out in 2026, they’ll be serving this brand-new interchange, making it easier than ever for people to get around. It’s a big step forward in delivering a transport network that’s affordable, reliable, and fit for the future—one that’s run for the benefit of our communities, not shareholders.”

So, what’s in store for the St Helens Interchange? Let’s break it down. Picture two enclosed concourses (basically spacious, comfy bus waiting areas), with fancy new pods at either end for a travel centre and accessible toilets, including a top-tier Changing Places facility. The concourses will be wrapped in glass to let in as much natural light as possible and the pods will be decked out in decorative brickwork to keep things looking sharp next to the town’s historic buildings. Stylish and practical.

But wait, there’s more. The new features include:

• 11 bus stands, up from the current nine, to keep up with the town’s growth.
• All bus parking moved inside the new facility, making things safer for pedestrians and drivers alike.
• A fully enclosed space, with climate control to keep you dry and comfortable, no matter the weather.
• Automatic doors at each stand, plus level boarding and step-free access, because making life easier for passengers is key.
• Real-time service updates for buses and trains, so you’ll always be in the know.
• Secure cycle parking inside and out, with clear wayfinding to guide you.
• Modern lighting and CCTV, to keep everyone feeling safe and secure.

The best bit? This new hub isn’t just for today’s buses – it’s future-proofed. Larger, greener buses are in the pipeline, and the new Interchange will be more than ready to handle them. By moving all the bus operations into this controlled environment, it’ll also cut down on congestion on Corporation Street. So, fewer traffic headaches all around.

For cyclists and pedestrians, it’s like Christmas has come early. There’s going to be a 20% increase in footways, and better crossing points to all the major spots in town, like the Theatre Royal and Gamble Building. Basically, the town centre’s getting a proper makeover, and it’s all about making life easier for those on two wheels or two feet.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Then there’s the pièce de résistance – Gamble Square. This brand-new civic square will sit between the interchange and the iconic Gamble Building and it’s going to be lush. Picture street furniture, lighting, CCTV, trees and landscaping that’ll turn this area into a proper hotspot. Gamble Square will not only look great, but it’ll link up St Helens’ key buildings, like the Theatre Royal, new hotel and of course, the Gamble Building itself.

Want to see it all for yourself? Head to www.sthelenstowncentre.co.uk/mmi for a full rundown of the proposals. Better yet, pop by the public drop-in events at Church Square Shopping Centre, where you can view the plans up close and personal and have a chat about what’s to come. Here’s when you can swing by:

• Tuesday 29th October: 10am – 4pm
• Friday 1st November: 10am – 4pm
• Saturday 2nd November: 10am – 5pm

Got thoughts? You can share your feedback at the events or through an online survey.

Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, is pretty excited too:

“Maintaining and building on our strong relationship with the City Region is a key priority for us. Influencing and driving devolution will be key to delivering the continued regeneration of our borough.

“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.”

And in true 2020s style, sustainability is high on the agenda. The new interchange will use recycled, natural and local materials and the roof will be kitted out with solar panels to soak up the sun’s energy. Plus, each pod will have a green living roof, with planters scattered around to boost biodiversity.

The design has been shaped by the latest best practices and input from local user groups, making sure accessibility is front and centre. Step-free access? Check. Clear signage and information, with digital and audio announcements? Double check. Add in tactile surfaces, acoustic panels to reduce noise and adjustable lighting and you’ve got a transport hub that caters to everyone.

This project is being spearheaded by St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse. The financial muscle comes from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with £710m from the City Region Transport Settlement (CRSTS) dedicated to transforming transport across the region.

The St Helens Interchange is just the start. It’s part of the first phase of a massive £100m plan to regenerate the town centre. Alongside the new Market Hall, there’ll be a 120-bedroom hotel, 64 stunning new homes, 75,000 square feet of office space and 11,000 square feet of modern retail, all set within lush, high-quality public spaces. Exciting times ahead!