HARLOW's bus station is being demolished to make way for a multi-million-pound rebuild.
The start of works has been announced with Morgan Sindall heading the project for a revamped bus station and a transformation of Terminus Street.
The development is part of Harlow's £23.7m Towns Fund programme, funded by the Government.
The existing bus station will be replaced with a "bright and welcoming" Transport Hub, expected to provide improved public transportation for residents as well as visitors and employees.
This hub is also expected to link up with the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town sustainable transport corridor.
The leader of the Harlow Council, councillor Dan Swords, was on site on May 8 to mark the start of the works.
Mr Swords said: "We are getting on with the job of delivering our mission to rebuild our town with the transformation of Harlow’s bus station and Terminus Street.
"The area will be transformed into a state-of-the-art Sustainable Transport Hub and Interchange to help put the heart back into Harlow’s town centre.
"The transformation of the area will make a huge difference to this side of the town centre and will complement our improvements to Broad Walk and our plans for Market Square.
"There will be some disruption to bus users during the demolition and construction works.
"We will be working closely with the contractors to keep disruption to a minimal and we will ensure that regular updates are issued for bus users and signs are kept updated."
Initial works involve the removal of the current bus station information point and toilets.
To minimise disruption for commuters, the demolition of the footbridge will carry on over the May Bank Holiday, from Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27.
The bus station will close from 7pm on Saturday, May 25, reopening at 7am on Tuesday, May 28.
However, bus services will carry on as per the routine timetable, with temporary stands arranged at Crown Gate and South Gate.
Both Crown Gate and South Gate will have temporary traffic regulations in effect, limiting access to buses, Essex Police and service access.
Likewise, Terminus Street will have restrictions for traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, with no north-south access provided.
Commuters will be directed to use Broad Walk as a means of connecting north and south ends of Terminus Street.
Meanwhile, local businesses, including Mecca Bingo and Tenpin, will continue their regular operations throughout the construction period.
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