Temporary road changes as part of St Helens town centre transformation
The next stage in delivery of the ambitious transformation programme for St Helens town centre will see essential enabling works take place around Hall Street.
Article date: 12 August 2026
The highways work, which will be undertaken by VINCI Building, involves the installation of a new future-proofed drainage system to serve the new St Helens Transport Interchange facility and Phase One development.
The first stage of works will replace existing infrastructure dating back to the Victorian era which was not designed to accommodate current development levels or the more frequent and intense rainfall events experienced today.
The proposed drainage improvements will separate highway surface water from the existing drainage network, reducing the risk of future flooding helping to protect local properties, roads and public spaces.
The second stage will see the new public realm improvements start to take shape with the installation of high quality paving and kerbs along Hall Street, Haydock Street, Corporation Street and Bickerstaffe Street.
These improvements will help create a more attractive, accessible and welcoming town centre. This key stage of the project will require the temporary closure of Hall Street (in part), Corporation Street (in part), and Bickerstaffe Street (in phases) to all vehicular traffic for the duration of the works.
The works also continue the scheme's commitment to delivering social value and supporting the local economy. St Helens based Murraywood Construction has been appointed to carry out the phase one drainage works while HA Civils will undertake the phase two public realm improvements.
Pedestrian access across this area of the town centre, and to all affected businesses and properties, will be maintained throughout these essential works. Suitable, alternative arrangements for service vehicles access to affected businesses and properties will also be provided.
The transformation programme represents one of the most significant investments in St Helens town centre in its history, and work is now moving into a critical phase that will help shape and secure a prosperous future.
The Project Team has undertaken an extensive engagement and consultation process with local businesses and residents in the affected areas to understand the impact that these changes will cause to daily life and business operations. Feedback from businesses and residents has directly shaped the plans for alternative access arrangements and to minimise disruption wherever possible.
These measures are a necessary part of delivering a modern, vibrant, sustainable and resilient town centre that will benefit the whole community long into the future.
Prior to the implementation of the full road closures, several highway enabling works will be undertaken. This will include the temporary suspension of the pedestrianised section of Bickerstaffe Street near St Helens Central Station to facilitate servicing vehicles travelling from Haydock Street onto Shaw Street. In addition, highway modifications will be carried out at the Corporation Street and Vincent Street junction to improve bus and coach manoeuvrability, ensuring continued access to support the Theatre Royal and the North West Museum of Road Transport.
Works will be carried out between 8:00am and 5:00pm and are scheduled to commence on Monday 24 August 2026, with full completion anticipated in January 2027. The works will be delivered in phases to minimise disruption as much as possible. Affected highways will reopen at the earliest opportunity.
Phase | Dates | Traffic Management Measures |
Phase 1 | 24 August 2026 to 16 October 2026 | Bickerstaffe Street, from Haydock Street to its intersection with Hall Street: temporary closure to through traffic.
Hall Street, at its intersection with Corporation Street, Parade Street and George Street: temporary closure to through traffic. |
Phase 2 | 19 October 2026 to 23 October 2026 | Bickerstaffe Street, from Shaw Street to its intersection with Hall Street: temporary closure to through traffic.
Hall Street, at its intersection with Corporation Street, Parade Street and George Street: temporary closure to through traffic.
Haydock Street: temporary closure to through traffic. |
Phase 3 | 26 October 2026 to 4 December 2026 | Bickerstaffe Street, from Shaw Street to its intersection with Haydock Street: temporary closure to through traffic.
Hall Street, at its intersection with Corporation Street and Parade Street: temporary closure to through traffic. |
Phase 4 | 7 December 2026 to 11 December 2026 | Bickerstaffe Street, from Shaw Street to its intersection with Hall Street: temporary closure to through traffic.
Hall Street, at its intersection with Corporation Street, Parade Street and George Street: temporary closure to through traffic.
Haydock Street: temporary closure to through traffic. |
Phase 5 | 14 December 2026 to 22 January 2027 | Bickerstaffe Street, from Shaw Street to its intersection with Haydock Street:reopened to through traffic.
Bickerstaffe Street, from Hall Street to its intersection with Haydock Street:temporary closure to through traffic.
Hall Street, at its intersection with Corporation Street and Parade Street:permanent closure to through traffic. |
Throughout the works, a small number of additional streets in the immediate area will be temporarily closed to through traffic. Residents and businesses directly affected will be contacted separately with full details.
Public car parks, loading facilities and waste collection services for affected properties will continue to operate via clearly signed alternative loading areas and access routes. While access to some private car parks will be temporarily restricted during the works, alternative parking provision will be made available for affected residents and businesses.
To help support residents, visitors and businesses, additional temporary one-hour parking bays will be introduced on George Street, and parking facilities on Shaw Street will be reinstated. The town centre car parks will remain fully operational and accessible throughout the works. Access to Millennium Car Park will be maintained via Shaw Street.
A temporary replacement ambulance bay will be operational nearby, ensuring emergency services continue to operate without interruption.
All dates are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change. Residents and businesses in the affected areas will be contacted before each phase of works commences. Updates on progress, forthcoming works, and temporary traffic management arrangements will be published on the project website at https://sthelenstowncentre.co.uk/.
The Council and partners recognise that these works may cause disruption and is committed to maintaining ongoing communication with those affected. Businesses, residents and other stakeholders will continue to receive regular updates and have opportunities to engage directly with the Project Team throughout the construction period. This will include attendance at business engagement forums, stakeholder meetings and other engagement activities, ensuring that any concerns can be raised and considered as the scheme progresses.
Councillor Jack Benyon, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Property and Planning at St Helens Borough Council said: "We want to thank everyone in St Helens for their patience and goodwill as we deliver what will be a truly transformational project for our town. We believe that the people of St Helens deserve a town centre they can be proud of, with modern, vibrant and future-proofed facilities at its heart. Every temporary closure and diversion brings us one step closer to that achieving vision. We are asking businesses, residents and visitors to continue to show patience and understanding through this period of change. The short-term disruption is real, but so will be the long-term multiple benefits, and we are committed to doing everything we can to minimise the impact until those benefits are realised. St Helens has a bright future, and this project is a vital part of securing it. Thank you for your support as we build a better St Helens together."
Anyone who has questions or concerns about how these works may affect them should contact James McGlynn (Engineering Manager) on 07731 337273.
Construction of the new St Helens Transport Interchange is scheduled for completion in January 2027, following which there will be a short mobilisation period as operations transfer from the Temporary Bus Hub that has operated on Chalon Way.
The St Helens Transport Interchange only secured planning consent in July 2025 and will shortly provide a high quality, modern, accessible and sustainable gateway to the town centre. Key features include two fully enclosed, temperature-controlled concourses with spacious waiting areas, a new Travel Centre, and accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility.
The design will offer 11 bus stands (up from the previous nine), level boarding, automatic doors at each stand, real-time passenger information for both buses and trains, and secure cycle storage positioned next to new active travel links. The St Helens Transport interchange will prioritise sustainability with recycled and local materials, solar panels, green roofs and landscaped planters to boost biodiversity. It will also feature step-free access throughout, digital and audio signage, adjustable lighting and acoustic panels to create a more comfortable environment.
Improvements to the surrounding public realm will create better connections with St Helens Central Rail Station and iconic town landmarks. A new civic square, enhanced lighting, CCTV and high-quality street furniture will create a vibrant, safe and welcoming public space at the heart of the regeneration.
The works are being delivered by VINCI Building UK, the main contractor appointed by St Helens Borough Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse.
The project is supported by £32 million in funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, alongside £3.25 million from the UK Government's Towns Fund and additional financial contributions from St Helens Borough Council.
Alongside the new St Helens Transport Interchange, the wider Phase One development that is under construction includes a new Market Hall, a 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, 56 apartments, eight townhouses and over 4,000 sq ft of new modern retail space. These will all sit within extensive biodiversity-rich public spaces designed to support pollinators, native planting and climate resilience.
The town centre transformation is backed by a £69.2 million funding package from St Helens Borough Council, with further support from the UK Government and ECF. This includes two Town Deal grants totalling £10.49 million and £812,000 from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund to enable sustainable residential development.