Work undertaken

Athertons worked on various aspects of the project including security, access control, mechanical and electrical work, electronics, ventilation and BMS and EMS systems.

Background

Located within the Chester City Conservation area, the horseshoe shaped interchange will incorporate an enclosed terminus, canopy, retail space and café, forming part of the proposed £300m retail, leisure and residential Northgate development. Chester Bus Interchange was a state of the art, exciting and inspiring project and an integral part of Chester’s One City Plan. This was the design and construction development for a new bus interchange at Gorse Stacks in Chester City Centre. The bus interchange is described as a ‘key enabling’ project because it has replaced the previous Princess Street exchange.

Project

The £13.5 million bus station forms an important visual element to the historic City Gateway site. Creating and delivering a high quality forecourt area and concourse to a new Bus Interchange, it presents a strong civic face

to the roundabout and approach, whilst complementing the composition. Austin-Smith:Lord were executive architects and designers. Graham Construction were principle builders. Hardscape, Jefferson Sheard and HLM Landscape to deliver a new £13.5m Chester Bus Interchange for client Chester and Cheshire West Council. Archaeology was undertaken by Earthworks Archaeology and Graham Construction acting as principal contractor.

Located within the Chester City Conservation area, the elliptical-shaped interchange incorporates an enclosed terminus, canopy, retail space and café, forming part of the £300m retail, leisure and residential Northgate development. The development promises better integration between bus services and the rail station alongside improved linkages to pedestrian and cycle routes along the Shropshire Union Canal.

As part of the preparation for site works, archaeologists discovered traces of a 1st or 2nd century building on the proposed site. The beam slots, which are believed to have been used in the foundations of a Roman building, and were removed from the site before being donated to the Cheshire Museums Service.

The solution Winner of the “Accessible Transport Project of the Year” at the Smarter Travel Live Awards, the Chester Bus Interchange has significantly improved public transport access into the city, reduced congestion, and provided better integration between rail users, pedestrians and cyclists. It features a range of inclusive design characteristics, including directional and information signage, colour contrasting seating, dualheight customer services counters with a hearing loop system, unisex accessible toilets and baby changing facilities, and tactile wayfinding paving for blind and visually impaired passengers. The striking design incorporates glulam timber beams to create a curved roof form. The 3,434 sq m roof itself is covered with an extensive sedum system which adds an element of green space. Notably, the project, which was delivered to BIM Level 2, was realised thanks to complex technical design and a high quality public realm scheme that recognised the key interfaces between the landscape, architectural and engineering details.

Innovation and Sustainability

The innovative Sedum roof, changes hues with the seasons and is a green, living, breathing canopy component of the city. It enhances air quality and energy efficiency by absorbing CO2 and filtering pollutants. It has improved air quality and requires maintenance only once a year and is designed to improve energy efficiency and air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and filtering dusts and pollution.

Chester’s commitment to progress and preservation shines at the new Chester Bus Interchange. A cornerstone of the city’s One City Plan, this state-of-the-art facility at Gorse Stacks is more than just a transport hub; it is an innovative, sustainable piece of art. The landmark project has transformed the cityscape with the interchange standing as a modern complement to the historic City Gateway site, offering a welcoming concourse that seamlessly blends with the City’s architectural heritage. This environmentally friendly project provides 13 bus stands that can handle an average of 90 buses an hour. Since opening it has won several awards, including one for accessible transport.