Harlow regeneration gets underway with bus station transformation
Morgan Sindall Construction has been selected to construct Harlow’s new multimillion pound Sustainable Transport Hub and Interchange, part of a programme of large-scale, town centre regeneration in the Essex town.
Harlow Council’s project to upgrade the facility is central to its plan to enhance and regenerate Harlow Town Centre, improving its transport infrastructure and encouraging residents to use more sustainable methods of transport instead of cars.
Funded by the Government’s Towns Deal as part of Harlow’s £23.7m Towns Fund programme, the existing bus station will be transformed and replaced with a bright and welcoming space. Once complete, the buses will operate on a one-way system, with the proposed exit onto Crown Gate as well as plans to better link to the nearby railway station, Harlow and Gilston Garden Town’s proposed Sustainable Transport Corridor, schools, and other commercial locations.
Working with Harlow Council and the Procure Partnerships framework, Morgan Sindall’s Essex business will leverage its expertise in public sector infrastructure to ensure that the new facility supports the local sustainable transport demands and enhances key spaces, creating a high quality and welcoming gateway into Harlow Town Centre.
The new transport hub designed by McBains Ltd., will include 16 stands covered by a 150m canopy, an indoor waiting area, new green spaces, and storage for up to 80 bicycles.
The large, bespoke canopy will run the length of the structure, providing cover from the elements while being a visual focal point of the new facility’s design. In combination with the hub’s glass facade, this will create a striking, modern aesthetic which will feature prominently in the town centre.
To enhance safety onsite, the facility’s partitions will create a pleasant space, flooded with natural light while facilitating a safe flow of people around the building, and well-connected spaces including Cross Street, East Walk and East Gate.
To support healthy, sustainable travel options, the Sustainable Transport Hub and Interchange will also be a central point for local cycle routes. To achieve this, a separate cycle hub building and bicycle storage will be created onsite.
The Morgan Sindall team began demolition work on the link bridge in April and completed in July. The next phases of the project will entail construction of the temporary bus station on Post Office Road, demolition of the existing waiting areas and constructing the new bus routes in and out of the facility as well as the site’s footpaths and landscaping.
Given the central location and the site’s vital public transport role, managing access to nearby businesses and maintaining Harlow’s flow of public transport will be key priorities. Morgan Sindall will employ its Intelligent Solutions approach to minimise disruption, which will include setting up the temporary bus station to keep local buses and traffic moving.
The team will be able to draw on extensive experience on similar developments throughout the design and construction of Harlow’s Sustainable Transport Hub and Interchange, such as the recent £13.5 million regeneration of St Margaret's Bus Station in Leicester and delivering the first electrified bus station in Wales at Merthyr Tydfil.
Dale Smith, Operations Director at Morgan Sindall Construction’s Essex business, said: “Bus stations are important parts of our local communities, as not only do they determine how a lot of residents and visitors travel from A to B, but their central, prominent locations mean they play a key role in how an area looks and feels. This is why we’re really looking forward to working closely with Harlow Council and Procure Partnerships framework to deliver a vital project that promises to significantly revitalise Harlow’s town centre.
“Once complete, the Sustainable Transport Hub and Interchange will not only create a visually impressive focal point within the heart of the town, but it will enhance how residents and visitors move around Harlow – whether that’s by bus, car, bicycle or on foot. Rethinking the town’s space in this way will unlock a lot of social and economic benefits for the local community and Harlow’s businesses while paving the way for wider regeneration of the area.”
Tom Woolley, Key Account Manager at Procure Partnerships Framework, added: “We are delighted to have supported Harlow Council in the procurement of this project. The Sustainable Transport Hub and Interchange will significantly improve Harlow’s transport infrastructure, making it easier for the local community to move in and around the Town. The new facility’s design promises to provide a prominent modern focus point to the town, accompanied by community spaces that add to the town’s welcoming features. We look forward to following the progress of the project, working closely with our contractor partners Morgan Sindall Construction.”