PREPARATORY work has started on a scheme to replace an underground bus station.
The station beneath the Eldon Square Shopping Centre, in Newcastle, will be replaced by a £16.7m new one in Prudhoe Street.
The station, funded partly by £11m of Government money, is part of a £170m revamp for the shopping centre. It will take four years to build and include new shops, including a department store.
Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine will create an access route and exit to Eldon Square's multi-storey car park.
The 40-week contract will involve significant changes to the road layout around Percy Street, Prudhoe Street and Prudhoe Place, to accommodate the Prudhoe Street taxi rank and maintain retail pick-up points.
The development has been welcomed by Greg Stone, city council executive member for development and regeneration, who described the present bus station as "smelly, dark and unpleasant".
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