CONSTRUCTION work on a new bus zone and public services hub in Ellesmere Port will start next month.

The £16m project will get underway on June 8 with the creation of state-of-the-art shelters on Civic Way.

This will enable the demolition of the town centre bus station in the autumn to pave the way for the new hub building which will house more than 500 Cheshire West and Chester Cuncil and Department for Work and Pensions staff.

The existing Ellesmere Port council offices will be demolished to make way for new housing for 'families and young professionals', according to the council.

Building contractors Vinci Construction UK Limited will construct the new bus zone and hub on behalf of the council, with coronavirus safety measures in place.

The Government’s Local Growth Fund is providing half of the £16m through the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth, said: "We are clearly in a very different environment with most businesses including construction, badly hit by the Coronavirus.

"Following the guidance from central Government that construction work can continue if the correct Covid-19 safety measures are in place, it is good news that this important public transport project in Ellesmere Port can now get underway.

“Construction work plays an important role for the UK economy and can continue if done in accordance with the social distancing guidelines wherever possible.”

The first phase of works involving the construction of the bus interchange will involve a small workforce of about 15.

Cllr Beacham added: "The Hub will be a modern, energy efficient building and it is scheduled for completion in autumn 2021. As we look towards the economic and social recovery from Covid-19, and a future beyond the pandemic, this new hub will play a vital role in providing local people with easy access to essential public services including: community safety and crime prevention, housing support, welfare and benefits support, plus health and wellbeing.

"It’s also good news that Jobcentre will be joining the hub to enhance the employment, skills and learning guidance on offer for local residents."

Clare Hayward MBE DL, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "It’s great to see construction underway for the Bus Zone and Public Services Hub.

"It is an important step in the ongoing regeneration of Ellesmere Port town centre, helping to make it easier for people to work and shop in the town, when completed. Delivering construction projects at this time is an important part of restarting our economy and Vinci’s expertise will allow them to so in a measured and safe way."

The council says the new hub provides the most cost-effective solution to the provision of council services in the town when compared with the alternative of refurbishing Civic Way offices, which will be demolished as part of the wider masterplan proposals.

This space will be made available for new housing for families and young professionals to live in the town.