Ceremony marks major milestone at new St Helens Transport Interchange
Construction of the steel framework at the new St Helens Transport Interchange has reached a major milestone, with completion of the northern concourse steelwork marked by a 'golden spanner' ceremony in which the last bolt was symbolically tightened.
Article date: 20 March 2026
The new Interchange is a key part of a 20-year regeneration project being delivered by St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse. VINCI Building is the main contractor for the project.
Leadership from St Helens Borough Council, ECF, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and VINCI Builidng attended the ceremony alongside David Baines MP, local subcontractors working on the project and Town Centre ward members.
Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "Watching the steel frame of the new Transport Interchange reach its full height is a proud moment for St Helens. This facility is a physical statement of our ambition. We've designed every detail with our residents in mind - from the Changing Places facility that ensures the town centre is accessible to everyone, to the weather-protected cycle storage and climate-controlled concourses. This isn't just a place to wait for a bus; it's a high-quality, modern landmark that will restore a sense of pride in our town's critical infrastructure."
Chris Bishop, Senior Project Manager at ECF, said: "The completion of the framework to the northern concourse allows us all to see the future of St Helens taking shape. A key part of that vision is delivering a better arrival experience for everyone coming into the town. Our goal is to make sustainable transport the first choice for travel, not the last resort. By creating a bright, secure, comfortable and information-rich environment that links seamlessly with regional rail services, we are encouraging a genuine shift away from car dependency. This Interchange is the heartbeat of the 20-year regeneration plan we have developed with St Helens Borough Council, linking the people of St Helens to jobs, education, and opportunities across the wider region."
Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Transport Committee at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: "The completion of the steel framework is a significant moment - not just for St Helens, but for the wider region. The Combined Authority is proud to be the major funder of this project, and seeing the structure take shape is a tangible sign of what our investment in sustainable transport infrastructure can achieve. This Interchange is an important part of our plans to revolutionise bus travel in the Liverpool City Region, linking communities and providing a high-quality alternative to the car."
The framework has been built using low-carbon steel - also known as green or carbon neutral steel - sourced from Italy, a leading European producer of sustainable steel. Produced using electric arc furnace technology, it has a carbon content typically 60-75% lower than traditional blast furnace methods, with some 90% of the build featuring the material.
Martin Horton, Senior Project Manager at VINCI Building, said: "Reaching the highest point of the structural frame to the northern concourse is a major technical milestone, especially given the sustainable materials used in its construction. Low-carbon steel - created from recycled scrap metal - significantly reduces the emissions. When combined with the solar panels on the roof and a glass façade that maximises natural light, we are delivering a state-of-the-art facility designed for energy efficiency."
Once complete, the St Helens Transport Interchange will completely transform travel for bus passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians - creating a safe, accessible, and welcoming gateway to the town centre. Key features include 11 bus stands (up from nine), an enclosed concourse with real-time travel information for both buses and trains, step-free access throughout, and automatic doors at every stand. It will also feature a Travel Centre, accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility, secure covered cycle storage, and improved wayfinding. The surrounding area will be further enhanced with a new civic square, upgraded lighting, and high-quality landscaping.
Delivering the project has also created opportunities for local businesses. VINCI Building appointed Liverpool City Region-based contractor Webber NW Ltd. to lead the steel framework construction, with St Helens specialist firm N.L. Williams Group - based at Westside Industrial Estate - also on the team. N.L. Williams is the latest local firm to contribute to, and benefit from, the town centre regeneration programme, as part of commitments made in the St Helens Inclusive Growth Strategy.
The £35 million project is being funded through £32 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), alongside £3.25 million from the Government's Towns Fund and contributions from St Helens Borough Council.