Heritage inspired design takes shape at new St Helens Transport Interchange

THE distinctive pod buildings at the heart of the new St Helens Transport Interchange are beginning to take shape, with a design that balances modern transport infrastructure with the historic character of the town centre.

The scheme is being delivered by:- VINCI Building on behalf of St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a partnership between Homes England's National Housing Bank, L&G and Muse.

Located within and adjacent to St Helens conservation areas, the new Interchange buildings have been designed by architects Austin-Smith:Lord, to reflect the materials, craftsmanship and architectural detailing of some of the borough's most recognisable heritage assets.

The design draws on landmarks including:- the Gamble Building, St Mary's Church, Holy Cross and Saint Helen Catholic Church and the traditional terraced properties of Hall Street. Rather than the grey metallic finishes typically associated with transport infrastructure, the design team selected a bespoke palette of red and buff brickwork, decorative bonding patterns and glazed masonry that reflects the town's rich brickmaking and manufacturing heritage.

The Northern Pod features red brickwork and decorative brick detailing influenced by the red brick tones and craftsmanship found across St Helens town centre.

The Southern Pod uses buff brickwork laid in a distinctive basket weave pattern, inspired by the decorative masonry of the nearby Gamble Building, giving the building texture and depth. Its defining feature is a band of green glazed brick, chosen to complement the interchange's glazing, soffits and landmark Y-shaped steel columns. The glazed brick adds colour and richness, and is a subtle nod to the decorative masonry and terracotta detailing found on many of the town centre's Victorian and Edwardian buildings.

Philip Morton, Associate Director at Austin-Smith:Lord, the architectural firm working on the project, said:- "The setting of the building was key to the design. The tones, colours and patterns of the surrounding historical masonry buildings influenced how our ideas developed. We wanted to introduce colours and warm natural tones to the building materials and avoid creating a stark appearance - typical of public transport facilities. Some elements of the building, such as the terrazzo tiling and glazing are made from the local recycled site waste - the environment and sustainability was high on the client's agenda."

Sustainability has also been built into the design through living green roofs, which will help soften the buildings' appearance and contribute to the wider public realm.

The two pods will provide important facilities at the heart of the interchange. The Southern Pod will house the new Merseytravel Travel Centre, providing passenger information, ticketing and customer services. The Northern Pod will accommodate driver welfare facilities, public toilets and a fully accessible Changing Places facility, ensuring the interchange provides a welcoming and inclusive experience for all users.

Councillor Jack Benyon, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning at St Helens Borough Council, said:- "The pod buildings demonstrate how modern infrastructure can celebrate St Helens' unique heritage. Drawing inspiration from landmark buildings such as the Gamble Building and St Mary's Church, the design incorporates high-quality brickwork, basket weave detailing, green glazed masonry and living green roofs to create a transport interchange that is both contemporary and distinctly St Helens. These buildings will provide first-class facilities for passengers and operators while creating a gateway that reflects the character and pride of our borough."

Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager for ECF, said:- "It's a big moment to see the pod buildings taking shape, both for the Interchange and for our wider work to regenerate St Helens town centre. From the outset we didn't want this to look like any other transport building, so the design team spent time looking at the town's own architecture and its brickmaking history. The result is a building that people will notice when they arrive in St Helens. It also sets the standard of quality we want to see across the rest of the town centre as the regeneration moves forward."

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Last month, our region made history when we became only the second area outside London to take back control of our buses, starting in St Helens. We've invested £150 million in a new, low-emission fleet, but taking back control only means something if passengers feel the benefit. That means better buses, better facilities and a better experience from start to finish. That's why I'm putting £32 million into this new interchange, and it's brilliant to see it taking shape. Just as importantly, it won't be some identikit transport hub that could be anywhere in the country. The design draws on St Helens' own buildings, history and proud manufacturing heritage, while giving passengers the modern, accessible facilities they deserve. Put that together with our new buses and the wider regeneration of the town centre and you can see the bigger picture. Better transport connects people to jobs and opportunities, brings more customers into local businesses and helps breathe new life into our town centres. That's the kind of investment that can make a real difference to people's everyday lives."

The pods sit at the centre of the wider interchange, which once complete will transform travel for:- bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians, creating a safe, accessible and welcoming gateway to the town centre.

Alongside the facilities in the pods, the interchange will include:- 11 bus stands (up from nine) to support the region's bus franchising plans, an enclosed concourse, real-time travel information for buses and trains, step-free access throughout, automatic doors at every stand, and secure covered cycle storage with improved wayfinding.

The surrounding public realm will also be improved to strengthen connections between the:- Transport Interchange, St Helens Central Rail Station and key landmarks such as the Gamble Building, Theatre Royal and the forthcoming Hampton by Hilton hotel. A new civic square, upgraded lighting and high-quality landscaping will help create a vibrant, people-friendly public space.

The £35 million project is being delivered through £32 million from the:- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, via the:- City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), alongside £3.25 million from the Government's Towns Fund and contributions from St Helens Borough Council.