A public consultation is being launched so people can have their say on plans for a new bus station in Stevenage.

The consultation, which runs from Thursday until Saturday in the former Subway unit in The Plaza, will give residents an opportunity to view designs for a new town centre bus interchange as part of a wider £1 billion 20-year regeneration programme for Stevenage.

Stevenage Borough Council is asking people to make their voices heard about the plans to improve transport and connectivity links in the town.

The existing bus interchange is one of the busiest in Hertfordshire, with around 60 buses departing per hour.

The land currently occupied by the bus station has been marked for development as part of the SG1 regeneration project and will be replaced by a new garden square, surrounded by shops, restaurants and apartments in the coming years.

The new bus interchange will include covered seating areas, shop mobility facilities, digital signage and a dedicated café.

Borough council leader Sharon Taylor said: “Our existing bus station is exceptionally busy; however, it doesn’t offer the facilities and amenities that a major transport interchange requires in the 21st century.

“We have reviewed potential sites and options for some time now and feel the current plans give us the best opportunity to provide much better facilities for bus users and improve connections to rail services and the overall efficiency of the transport links in our town.

“This development is a critical part of the wider regeneration programme and we encourage residents to attend the consultation and to give us their feedback on the proposed designs and plans.”

The 20-year regeneration programme is designed to redevelop and improve the town’s existing central areas.

A number of private projects – including the redevelopment of Market Place, Vista Tower and Six Hills House – have already been completed.

Queensway North, the site of the former M&S unit, is the subject of a £50 million scheme led by Reef Estates, while Mace, the firm that built The Shard, has signed a £350m contract to regenerate the SG1 area.

For more information on the bus station consultation, which runs from 1pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday and from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, email regeneration@stevenage.gov.uk.