First look inside brand new Bishop Auckland bus station

The £11.8 million project is complete and will begin operating on Sunday (May 10).

The newly completed Bishop Auckland Bus Station. 8.5.2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The newly completed Bishop Auckland Bus Station. 8.5.2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The newly completed Bishop Auckland Bus Station. 8.5.2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The newly completed Bishop Auckland Bus Station. 8.5.2026. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The bus station will feature new and improved passenger information with live updates; CCTV; toilet facilities, including accessible toilets, a changing places unit and a parent and child facility; and a retail kiosk 

Alongside the bus station, there will also be a new 124-space car park, with accessible spaces for wheelchairs and Blue Badge holders and parking for motorcycles. 

The area surrounding the bus station has also been landscaped, with paved areas, drainage systems, and street lighting installed. There will also be electric vehicle charging points and bicycle parking. 

The new facility is located on the site of the former bus station, which was demolished to make way for the redevelopment in 2023. Work started on the site in February 2024 and was developed using £11.8 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.

Once the bus station has opened, work will start to remove the temporary bus stops on Newgate Street, Tenters Street and Saddler Street.

Tim McGuinness, cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “This has been an ambitious project to ensure the people of Bishop Auckland have a safe, modern, and efficient transport hub to help them access opportunities within County Durham and the wider region.” 

The bus station was constructed by Esh Construction and designed by Jacobs on behalf of Durham County Council. 

Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said: “Esh is proud to have delivered a modern, fully accessible transport hub that will play an important role in supporting Bishop Auckland’s regeneration and strengthening local connectivity.

“Working closely with Durham County Council, this project reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure that serves communities across the region, while also creating meaningful social value and opportunities locally.”