IT’s a place where the vast majority of us will have been at least once in our lives and an even more iconic part of Durham City.

Whether you like it or loathe it, Durham Bus Station has been welcoming people from far and wide for more than 100 years.

The site on North Road has been serving thousands each week as buses pull in from Teesside, Darlington, Tyne & Wear and the rest of the county.

Served mainly by Go North East and Arriva North East, it remains one of the main ways the city welcomes workers, residents and tourists. 

But next Monday, it is set to close its doors as the current building is torn down to make way for a brand new ‘transport hub' on the same site.

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The long-awaited hub which has been several years in the making will provide more overall space with plans suggesting a ‘light and airy’ setting.

We've delved into our archives to see how the bus station has evolved from a relatively small shelter to a major thoroughfare in the region.

Take a look below:

The Northern Echo: The original bus station Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESThe original bus station Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

The Northern Echo: The station used to be open to the elements, pictured in January 2003 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESThe station used to be open to the elements, pictured in January 2003 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

The Northern Echo: Policeman Neil Wilkinson ready to board an Arriva bus in August 2004 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESPoliceman Neil Wilkinson ready to board an Arriva bus in August 2004 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

The Northern Echo: The bus station pictured in May 2005 Picture: DAVID WOOD/NORTHERN ECHOThe bus station pictured in May 2005 Picture: DAVID WOOD/NORTHERN ECHO

The Northern Echo: Gerry Steinberg, MP at the time, and Durham County Council leader Don Ross at the bus station in March 2005 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESGerry Steinberg, MP at the time, and Durham County Council leader Don Ross at the bus station in March 2005 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

The Northern Echo: Durham Bus Station in 2005 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESDurham Bus Station in 2005 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

The Northern Echo: The bus station pictured in 2007, with much of it remaining the same until the present day Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESThe bus station pictured in 2007, with much of it remaining the same until the present day Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

The Northern Echo: The bus station in its more present day as pictured in 2014 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVESThe bus station in its more present day as pictured in 2014 Picture: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVES

Last week, Durham County Councillor and City of Durham Parish Councillor Richard Ormerod hailed the demolition as a new era for the bus station is set to begin.

He said: “We’ve waited a long time for this to happen.

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“Working with the council we managed to secure a green wall and solar panels. We will have a building which is safer, greener, more attractive and more user-friendly than the old one.”