A SCHEME to give Stanley town centre a multi-million pound facelift has been unveiled.

The cornerstone of the £16m project will be the Public Transport Hub, which will include a modern bus station.

It will feature photovoltaic energy generation technology - cells that store energy absorbed from daylight to provide electricity for light and heating.

Every year the bus station will generate 13,656 KWh of power - enough to run six households - and save the 9.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions burnt using fossil fuel generated electricity.

The station, to be built on the car park behind Front Street, will also feature real time communications systems so travellers can tell if their bus is running late.

When complete the Public Transport Hub will link Front Street's pedestrian zone and the larger retailer and supermarket areas. The new link will include a pedestrian courtyard-plaza lined with new retail units and is expected to kick-start the regeneration of both commercial and public premises in the area.

But while welcoming the news, in particular the bus station plans, MP for North Durham, Kevan Jones, has criticised Derwentside District Council for taking too long in developing the scheme.

He said: "Stanley desperately needs this facility as the current bus station is out-of-date and entirely inadequate.

"I am concerned, however, at the length of time it has taken for this project to get off the ground.

"Derwentside District Council has been promising improvements in Stanley town centre for several years, but it is only now that some of the major work is starting.

"I have received numerous letters and calls to my office from Stanley residents frustrated at the slow pace of improvements."

Coun Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside council, defended the authority. He said it had carried out a major public consultation and many traffic surveys to ensure the redevelopment of Stanley goes smoothly.

Coun Watson said the authority had also been attracting investment to fund the town's proposed facelift.

He said: "We have never sat back, just the opposite. It is very sad that our MP can make such a statement, and not fair. He has a negative attitude and is not giving the council the credit it deserves."

Work is expected to begin in mid-February and be completed in autumn at a cost of £4m.

Temporary facilities will be made available for travellers at the existing bus station during the construction period.

Coun Watson said: "Our aim here in Stanley is to improve the town for everyone; to make it safer, more pedestrian friendly and to provide a better shopping experience for visitors and residents alike.

"The scheme provides a great opportunity to connect Front Street and the new public transport facility.

"It will be a catalyst for new opportunities and investment in the town centre."