A NEW bus interchange brought welcome relief for a town's public transport passengers at the weekend.

Three months after apparent completion the interchange finally came into use in Peterlee town centre yesterday.

An estimated 37,000 people will pass through per week, with all bus services brought together on the single site, just off Bede Way.

The development brings road safety and environmental improvements, which may tempt more people to turn to public transport in the Peterlee area.

It also ends an era where bus services to and from the east Durham town all used a range of stands either side of Burnhope Way.

The new interchange is made up of eight departure stands from where 2,500 services will set off every week.

It also features a self-contained rest point where buses can park between journeys.

There is a pedestrian link from the site to the Asda superstore and Yoden Way in the main shopping thoroughfare.

Further improvements, including the addition of closed-circuit television cameras and "real time" displays enabling passengers to know exactly when their bus is due, are also in the pipeline.

The interchange development is the result of a joint effort, built by town centre operator Modus Properties, backed by Euro funding, and with the support of Peterlee Town Council.

Durham County Council, Easington District Council and the bus operators are all helping to meet the annual running costs.

Bob Pendlebury, the county council's lead cabinet member for transport and travel, welcomed the opening of the interchange. "It will provide significant benefits for the travelling public," he said.

"People will no longer have to cross busy roads to catch buses, or to wait in the open at the mercy of the elements.

"It's great news for travellers in the town."

Outgoing Peterlee Mayor, councillor Maureen Taylor-Gooby, was delighted to see the interchange in use. "The town council was pleased to contribute to the project and it's good to see it operational, but equally it's been puzzling why it hasn't been up and running before now," she said.