A central part of the Weaver Network and the Dewsbury Blueprint town-centre regeneration
Willmott Dixon is onsite delivering the £23m transformation of Dewsbury Bus Station for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, in partnership with Kirklees Council. The scheme is a key part of the Weaver Network, the region's plan for a more seamless, better-connected public transport system, and of the Council's wider Dewsbury Blueprint, which sets out to boost town-centre footfall by making Dewsbury more attractive and easier to move around.
The existing station is undergoing a full interior refurbishment, with all 19 bus stands upgraded to meet the latest access and egress guidelines. To keep the town moving, the work is being carried out in a live operational setting: the station building is closed during the main construction phase while the bus station itself stays in service, with stands and temporary facilities outside. Careful phasing and proactive stakeholder engagement protect day-to-day travel throughout the programme.
A modern, accessible and sustainable transport hub
When it reopens in Summer 2027, the station will offer a far better experience for passengers and staff alike. A new Changing Places toilet — with extra space and equipment such as a hoist and height-adjustable changing bench — is complemented by an additional accessible toilet, a quiet room, more seating, refurbished retail units and new real-time information displays. Sustainability runs through the scheme: a living roof covered in plants, solar PV, air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging and cycle parking all support West Yorkshire's ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038. The works are being delivered through the Transforming Cities Fund.
What we are delivering
- A full interior refurbishment, with an improved travel centre and refurbished welfare and retail areas.
- All 19 bus stands upgraded to comply with the latest access and egress guidelines.
- A new Changing Places toilet, plus an additional accessible toilet for all disabled passengers.
- Better passenger facilities throughout - new toilets, more seating and a dedicated quiet room.
- New real-time information displays and improved safety and security features.
- A living roof, solar PV, air source heat pumps, EV charging and cycle parking.
Deepening our transport and interchange expertise
Dewsbury adds to Willmott Dixon's growing track record for transport interchanges that support fast, efficient urban connectivity. It follows our recently revamped interchange in Halifax and earlier schemes in North Shields, Lincoln and Stevenage, as well as the major Stockport Interchange beside the town's mainline station. This experience of delivering complex, customer-facing transport facilities in live, operational environments is exactly what a project like Dewsbury demands.
Building skills and opportunity in Dewsbury
Social value sits at the heart of the project. Willmott Dixon is creating a Building Lives Academy in partnership with Kirklees College, supporting 12 local residents through a mix of on-site work experience and classroom learning to help them gain the skills they need to secure employment. Across the programme we are committed to investing more than £7m with local businesses, creating over 125 weeks of apprenticeship training, and engaging students from Dewsbury's schools and colleges.
What people are saying
Our transport and town centre regeneration experts are proud to be working in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council to transform Dewsbury Bus Station into a modern and sustainable community transport hub. We share a passion for creating employment opportunities and building skills in this community. That's why we are committed to invest more than £7m with local businesses throughout the project as well as creating over 125 weeks of apprenticeship training and engaging Dewsbury school and college students.
Chris Yates, Yorkshire Director, Willmott Dixon
This is a transformational project that will make it easier and more accessible to use public transport in Dewsbury. Encouraging more people to use the bus helps towards reducing congestion, improving air quality, and tackling the climate emergency. I can't wait to see the progress as we look to create a better-connected region that works for all.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
I am really pleased to see this investment in Dewsbury and I'm excited to see the transformation of the bus station, which is a fundamental step towards providing more accessible and sustainable travel options for everyone. These new facilities will make travelling by public transport a more attractive option and they will create more exciting opportunities for work, education and training, as well as connecting communities, family and friends across West Yorkshire.
Cllr Moses Crook, Deputy Leader, Kirklees Council