By John Challen

The CIHT & WSP Sustainability Award this year set out to reward projects, schemes, products, or strategies that could demonstrate a contribution to sustainable development. One of the commended entries was that of Halifax Bus Station, after the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, pledged to create a modern, greener, integrated transport network with a mass transit system, new bus services and improve walking and cycling facilities.

“The project has, from the outset, sought to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose bus station for Halifax to serve as a public transport gateway into the town centre,” explains Thomas Murphy, Project Manager, West Yorkshire Combined Authority. “The station is a key part of the bus network in Calderdale and, prior to this project, handled approximately 800 bus movements a day, catering for 15,000 bus users.” 

As well as improving the passenger experience, the station project had sustainability in mind, typically reducing carbon emissions, with the ultimate aim for West Yorkshire Combined Authority to become a net zero carbon region by 2038. 

“The bus station sustainability objectives include reducing carbon emissions by energy consumption through the use of LED lighting and lighting controls, more efficient heating systems and the construction methodology which reduces demand for heating,” says Murphy. “It will also generate local energy through the station’s solar panel roof and reduce car use by increasing walking, cycling and bus trips.”

Image: Halifax Bus Station during construction; credit: Shutterstock

Electrification and drainage also in mind

To further aid the carbon reduction mission, the station’s design incorporates the necessary ducting and structural reinforcement to accommodate any future electric charging provision for electric buses. Also, as part of the design process, a comprehensive drainage proposal has been produced to meet the local authority’s requirements and reduce the risk of flooding.

“The new Halifax Bus Station partially opened in October 2023, becoming fully operational in July 2024, at which point more services were brought back into the bus station so that more passengers can make use of the new facilities,” says Murphy. “Despite the new bus station only being fully operational for a short period, we’ve already had positive feedback from the public about how much it has improved their everyday lives, helping them get around easier and generally how proud they are of the new facility. We will be carrying out passenger surveys in the near future to fully measure the reaction to the new bus station.” 

As for the future, Murphy says to watch this space. “Having recently brought Halifax Bus Station into full use, we are assessing how the new facility is performing against the objectives set through the business case process,” he explains. “As mentioned before, the bus station is already equipped to facilitate future EV charging for electric buses to support any future roll out, making this one opportunity that would further enhance the performance of the bus station.”  

The overall winner of the CIHT & WSP Sustainability Award was the HS2 Old Oak Common Station in west London, while Transport for London’s Carbon Literacy Project and an Oxfordshire Village’s foam mix from Stabilised Pavements Ltd were both recognised.

You can register your interest in the 2025 CIHT Awards now.