COUNCILLORS will today be told how progress is being made on one of the biggest transport projects to take place in Hartlepool.

A planning application for a £2.2m transport interchange in the town's Church Square was last week agreed by members of Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee.

The 15,233sq metre development will serve out-of-town coach services and some local bus services.

Located next to the town's railway station, the interchange will result in a more co-ordinated public transport system for the town by bringing coaches, buses, trains and taxis closer together.

Members of the council's regeneration and planning portfolio will hear the updates on the scheme, which it is hoped will be operational by the end of next year.

A report to the meeting indicates that at present a feasibility study for a proposed cycleway/footway linking Church Street to The Lanyard is currently being undertaken.

The proposal includes a crossing of the railway line parallel to the Gateway Bridge.

Network Rail has also approved the detailed design for the closure and infilling of the subway near the railway station.

Construction work for the scheme will get under way in March.