Stanley Bus Station refurbishment

We are keen to get your views on the proposed designs for the refurbishment of the bus station in Stanley. 

The bus station 

The bus station was built in 2005 and is valued by the community to access local shops and travel for work, education and social activities. The bus station has at times become a place where groups gather, which has led to concerns from bus users and local residents about anti-social behaviour and feeling unsafe, particularly during the evening.

As a response to these concerns, we have submitted a bid for funding from the North East Combined Authority’s (NECA) Bus Service Improvement Plan to refurbish the bus station in Stanley. If the bid is successful, work could begin on site as early as Spring/Summer 2026. The refurbishment works aims to make the bus station:

• safer and more welcoming for everyone, with a particular focus on women and girls, in line with the North East Mayor’s priorities, by improving both the actual and perceived safety.
• easier for everyone to use by improving accessibility and inclusivity especially for people with physical or visual impairments, wheelchair users, and families with pushchairs.

The existing bus operators rest facility, retail kiosk and taxi office are not included in the scope of the proposed refurbishment work and are expected to continue operating as normal. While we do not anticipate any major disruption, we’ll work closely with tenants to manage any minor changes to access that may be needed during construction.

The refurbishment work explained

Interior work

The work aims to create a more modern environment which offers:

• a modern bus station, accessible for all users
• upgraded digital and interactive passenger information displays throughout
• improved CCTV and lighting to enhance safety
• a safe and welcoming transport hub. We’re redesigning the main entrance to make it more open and inviting. By moving the automatic doors closer to the outside and removing the extra set inside, the space will feel less cluttered and easier to navigate. This also improves visibility and helps everyone feel safer
• an improved waiting environment with new seating layout, which includes a designated wheelchair waiting area
• a new layout with fully refurbished toilet facilities which includes, an accessible toilet and baby change facility, and individual, self-contained toilet facilities designed to enhance privacy, inclusivity, and help reduce antisocial behaviour
• new flooring in the bus passenger waiting area, which includes a tactile route to bus stands and public toilets to aid people with visual impairment
• improved waiting area with a new ceiling, fresh decoration, and protective wall panels. These changes will help create a more comfortable, modern, and welcoming space for everyone.

Exterior work

This includes:

• the removal of the canopy overhanging the entrance and bringing forward the main entrance doors to remove areas where congregation can occur, to create a more open, welcoming entrance
• the removal of the decommissioned clock face
• refreshed paintwork and new cladding to the front façade
• improved access to the bus station through enhancements to the outside public areas.

Artists images

The following four images show the plans to refurbish the station. Each shows a different part of the station from the waiting area, the entrance foyer, a plan showing the types of seating and their locations and the changes to the exterior of the building.

The public engagement closed on 9 November 2025.

For more information contact transportprojects@durham.gov.uk

To have this in a different format, contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk

Other local consultations

Stanley Strategic Place Plan

Between now and 14 November, we are also asking for your views and ideas about how you would like to see the town develop over the next 10 years. We want to understand your thoughts on its strengths and opportunities, what can be improved and what we’d all like Stanley to be in the future.

To take part go to Stanley Strategic Place Plan