Ellesmere Port public services hub starting to take shape

Work is well underway on the steel structure for the building based at the town's recently demolished former bus station.

It is expected to take eight weeks to complete the frame which is being erected by Preston-based Leach Structural Steel using a 50t crane.

A total of 230 tonnes of steel – enough for 18 double decker buses – is required for the development, with an average of 35 pieces of steel being assembled each day by six operatives.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration, said: “As soon as the steel structure is in place, we will be able to see the start of the new building.

"The steel work will take around eight weeks to complete. There is now a time lapse camera on site so I’m looking forward to watching the building start to appear.

“The first phase of work saw the construction of the new bus interchange, there is still a little work left in this area, but it has been in operation since November to allow the demolition of the old bus station.”

Ellesmere Port public services hub starting to take shape.

The hub, which is due to house more than 500 Cheshire West and Chester Council and Department for Work and Pensions staff, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The construction of the hub and the new bus interchange along Civic Way form part of a £16m regeneration project, of which half has come from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

As part of the masterplan, the existing Ellesmere Port council offices will eventually be demolished to make way for new housing for 'families and young professionals', according to the council.