Plans submitted for new Bishop Auckland bus station and parking

Further details of how the new transport hub could look have been revealed after a planning application was submitted by Durham County Council following a public consultation. The existing bus station will be demolished to make way for the redevelopment along with a few small buildings, a bus operator’s facility, public toilets and a small cafe kiosk.

The bus station - a collection of bus shelters - is now old and in need of maintenance and the council says it is not of the quality expected for a modern transport system in an expanding town centre. 

There are also insufficient passenger facilities, with dated and inadequate toilets, and little shelter from inclement weather. The bus stops are spaced apart, with very little signage or passenger information, making the site hard to navigate for unfamiliar users.

What will be built?

An external bus station to the north, comprising individual bus shelters per stand 

A public car park to the south 

Pedestrian area to the east, adjacent to the Newgate Shopping Centre

It is hoped the redevelopment will enable a brighter future for the town, creating a new 'destination'. Private investment is funding regeneration projections throughout the town centre, with various projects that focus around the historical attractions the town has to offer. While aimed at tourists, the regeneration is projected to provide a boost to the local economy and present further opportunities to the high street and surrounding area.

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How the new car park could look (Image: Durham County Council)

But residents who attended a meeting said they are concerned about the current state of the town’s high street and believe redevelopment there, particularly on Newgate Street, should be prioritised.

Philip Brown said: “It’s a ghost town. I have seen shops close but not many open. Eventually it could be a step in the right direction but only if they sort the shops out. It needs some regeneration but it’s got to be done the right way.” But Brian and Janet Lamb feel the bus station’s redevelopment could be a catalyst for change in the town. “I think they’re great - it’s the best way forward for the town,” Janet Lamb said. “The current bus station is inadequate; it doesn’t serve its purpose and it’s in a state of disrepair.”

An outcome of the planning application is due to be decided later this year.