Work on Stevenage’s £9.6m bus interchange has been completed, with the new station ready to open later in the spring.

A handover ceremony has been held at the interchange in Lytton Way, and we will soon see buses coming and going from the new station.

The event was attended by representatives from Stevenage Borough Council, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), contractors Willmott Dixon and other stakeholders - including the Stevenage Town Centre Partnership.

The Comet: Work on the interchange began in 2020Work on the interchange began in 2020 (Image: Rafe Abrook Photography)

Cllr Sandra Barr, mayor of Stevenage, said: “It was indeed a day to celebrate a wonderful milestone for the regeneration programme that is transforming our town.

"I thank the many people from Stevenage Borough Council, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, our colleagues at Hertfordshire County Council and, of course, the contractors, Willmott Dixon. All have worked in the spirit of true partnership to arrive at this outstanding moment in time, despite the project being delivered through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Comet: New seating area outside Stevenage's bus interchangeNew seating area outside Stevenage's bus interchange (Image: Rafe Abrook Photography)

Work started on the project in late 2020, funded by a £9.6m Local Growth Fund investment from Hertfordshire LEP, with the work completing on the first phase of the stages of the transport hub, connecting Stevenage Railway Station and the new bus interchange.

The interchange features a canopy with a large glazed screen and automatic doors for easy passenger access. It also includes a passenger facilities building which provides a heated waiting area with seating, live passenger information boards, a café and more.

External works include high quality public realm seating areas with newly planted trees and a soon to be completed pedestrian connection. This will link the bus interchange, town square and the train station.

The Comet: New bus waiting areas under a large canopy in StevenageNew bus waiting areas under a large canopy in Stevenage (Image: Rafe Abrook Photography)

Simon Ramage, director at Willmott Dixon, concluded: "We're incredibly proud to be handing over the bus interchange to Stevenage Borough Council and to have delivered these fantastic new facilities for the local community.

The Comet: The bus interchange will also have an indoor waiting area with seating and a caféThe bus interchange will also have an indoor waiting area with seating and a café (Image: Rafe Abrook Photography)

"As a locally based construction company, we're delighted to be part of the regeneration programme which is benefiting not only Stevenage, but also the surrounding areas."