Esh completes landmark £6.4m redevelopment of Bishop Auckland Bus Station
Esh completes landmark £6.4m redevelopment of Bishop Auckland Bus Station
The new £6.4 million Bishop Auckland Bus Station is now officially open to the public, marking the completion of a major investment in the town centre’s transport infrastructure.
Delivered by Esh Construction on behalf of the Durham County Council, the bus station was built on the site of the former facility on Saddler Street and provides a modern, safe and welcoming transport hub for residents and visitors travelling into Bishop Auckland.
Representatives from Esh joined Durham County Council at a formal opening ceremony, following the completion of the bus station and £1.8 million of associated enabling works. The project forms part of wider regeneration activity aimed at improving connectivity and supporting the town’s long-term vitality.
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.”
Bishop Auckland’s transport hub features 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.
The bus station is fully accessible, with anti-slip flooring and seating as well as wheelchair spaces at the front of each passenger waiting area. The area surrounding the bus station has also been landscaped, with paved areas, drainage systems, street lighting installed.
More than 120 hot rolled steel girders weighing a total of 23.49 tonne were installed on the building, having been fabricated less than two miles from the development by South Durham Structures Ltd.
A variety of sustainable technologies serve to boost the building’s environmental credentials feature within the design, including solar photo voltaic panels on the roof, a rainwater harvesting and re-use system and a Sedum green living roof to promote biodiversity.
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. There will also be electric vehicle charging points and bicycle parking.
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said:
“The completion of Bishop Auckland Bus Station is a major step in our plans to regenerate Bishop Auckland and boost its standing as a thriving market town and visitor destination.
“The bus station looks fantastic and will provide the local community with modern, up-to-date facilities so they can access opportunities within the county and beyond. It will also serve as a positive welcome for visitors travelling into the centre for Bishop Auckland’s growing culture, heritage and events offer.
“In addition, the site provides ample car parking with more than 120 new spaces for visitors to use. This will help to bring people into the town, address parking shortages, and reduce pressure on residential areas. This is a big step for Bishop Auckland, and we’re excited to welcome the first passengers.”
The project has delivered £2.2 million in social value, with 37 weeks of work experience and T-Level time provided to County Durham students, 55 weeks of work on site by County Durham veterans and reservists, 97 hours of STEM and employability skills delivered in schools and education settings and a £2.2m spend in County Durham’s supply chain.
Bishop Auckland Bus Station has been developed using £11.8 million of funding from the Future High Streets Fund.
Esh Group is a leading construction and built environment group which operates across the North East and Yorkshire. Our main trading company, Esh Construction, delivers civil engineering, commercial build, affordable housing, refurbishment, and retrofit services to public and private sector clients.
Founded on strong regional roots dating back to 1970, and developed through a commitment to quality, Esh has grown into one of the UK’s most respected privately-owned construction businesses. Esh Construction is the main contractor for the landmark restoration of the Grade II* listed Tyne Bridge—bringing our regional expertise, innovative engineering methods, and commitment to community legacy to one of the North East’s most iconic structures.
In 2025, Esh Group was named one of the UK’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte, recognising our excellence in strategy, innovation, governance, and culture. As an Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Covenant holder, Esh is proud to deliver an industry-leading social value programme through our ‘Constructing Local’ strategy, ensuring that its work leaves a lasting legacy in the communities it serves.
Discover more from Specifier Review
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
