Ballymore and Places for London – the wholly owned commercial property company of Transport for London (TfL) – have secured outline planning permission for the redevelopment of Edgware Town Centre from the London Borough of Barnet (LBB).

The St Helens Interchange is being delivered through a partnership between St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a joint venture comprising Homes England, Legal & General (L&G), and Muse. The project is supported by GBP32 million (US$42 million) in funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), alongside £3.25 million from the UK Government’s Towns Fund and additional financial contributions from St Helens Borough Council. VINCI Building has been appointed as the principal contractor for the scheme. Key features of the scheme include two fully enclosed, temperature-controlled concourses with warm, spacious waiting areas, a new Travel Centre, and accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility. The design incorporates 11 bus stands (up from the previous nine), level boarding, automatic doors at each departure stand, and screens featuring real-time information for both buses and trains.

The newly approved St Helens Interchange is designed to enhance the travel experience for bus users, cyclists, and pedestrians, serving as an attractive and eco-friendly gateway to the revitalised town centre. Sustainability and accessibility are central to the project, with the use of recycled, natural, and locally sourced materials, the installation of solar panels on the main roof, and green roofs on each of the smaller buildings. Accessibility features will include step-free routes throughout, clear visual and audio signage, adaptable high-quality lighting, and acoustic panels to create a more comfortable environment for all users. Significant upgrades to the surrounding public spaces will enhance connectivity between the new St Helens Interchange, St Helens Central Rail Station, and key landmarks including the Gamble Building, Theatre Royal, and the future Hampton by Hilton hotel. Demolition of the old bus station has already been completed, with a temporary bus facility in operation since May. The upcoming construction phase will focus on underground works, including foundations and drainage, with the steel framework for the new buildings anticipated to begin rising early next year.