WORK to transform Taunton’s redundant former Tower Street bus station into a new £3.7 million transport hub will finally begin after Christmas, Somerset Council has confirmed.

It is planned to be completed by next summer.

The new hub, to replace the bus station, which closed in 2020, will include six bus stops with their own shelters, plus two coach stops in Castle Way to provide an interchange for passengers between the local bus network and nationwide coach journeys.

There will be five layover bays, where local buses can be parked, seating and solar panels, real-time information boards for passengers, a waiting room with toilets, and a Changing Places toilet facility with a dedicated parking bay.

Council regeneration officer Robert Downes said: “Taunton Town Council is now working on plans that would see investment in both existing buildings - including lifts, the creation of new community spaces on the top floor of building one and rentable office space and new public toilets in building two.

“This approach provides benefits in helping to reduce costs and risk to Somerset Council, but also enables the redevelopment of the entire site and the creation of a transport/community-related hub with a diverse set of uses.”

The full cost of the project is expected to be £3,762,800, including a contingency of nearly £554,000 to offset any increase in building materials during construction.

More than £310,000 has already been allocated for ‘design, management, and operational development’ of the project, with the main construction due to cost about £2.9 million.

A spokesperson said: “The council has sufficient funding within its revenue grant to manage the transport hub until March, 2029.

“Assuming no further central Government funding becomes available, these costs will fall on either Somerset Council or Taunton Town Council.”