New Ellesmere Port bus interchange opens

The bus zone on Civic Way – described as having state-of-the-art shelters – opened today (November 20).

Civic Way will now be limited to buses only with no access from Whitby Road for any vehicles.

There will also be no access along Civic Way from Wellington Road, except for deliveries to businesses at the Port Arcades shopping centre.

Now the interchange is up and running, work to knock down the remainder of the old town centre bus station can be carried out.

Demolition of the site will pave the way for a new public services hub due to house more than 500 Cheshire West and Chester Council and Department for Work and Pensions staff.

The new bus interchange along Civic Way has been constructed as part of the £16m project.

Councillor Karen Shore, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: "Opening the new bus interchange is the first stage of a £16m investment into Ellesmere Port, part of a wider Masterplan for the town.

"Thanks to the LEP jointly funding from the Local Growth Fund, partnering with the council’s own capital investment, next year we will be seeing a new hub building providing local people with easy access to essential public services in a modern and energy efficient building.

"The building will bring together a wide range of important public services including; community safety and crime prevention, housing support, employment, skills and learning guidance, welfare and benefits support.”

Clare Hayward, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "The project is an important catalyst for the regeneration of Ellesmere Port and one of a range of initiatives that the LEP is supporting in the area.

"We are delighted to see these attractive new facilities taking shape and our investment in the town centre coming to fruition."

Bus operator Stagecoach tweeted: "The new bus station in Ellesmere Port is open! Service 1 & X1 will depart stand C for Chester and stand G for Liverpool. Today we will have our experienced inspector Paul in the bus station for any of your issues so come and say hello."

The hub building is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021.

The existing Ellesmere Port council offices will eventually be demolished to make way for new housing for 'families and young professionals', according to the council.