Riverside North will have a cinema, restaurants and housing
The old bus station has been described as "unloved"
Work on replacing the bus station will take about a year
Work has begun on two multi-million pound development projects in Bedford town centre, with both the bus station and town hall being demolished.
The borough council is spending about £9m replacing the bus station, a project that has been in the pipeline for decades awaiting financial backing.
The town hall is being knocked down and replaced with a privately-funded £35m leisure development.
Riverside North will include homes, restaurants, and a multi-screen cinema.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "We are replacing the unloved old bus station with a brand new one as part of a wider regeneration project, while a large office block is making way for new riverside public space as part of a scheme including riverside restaurants, a cinema, river footbridge and more.
"Bedford bus station has let our town centre down for far too long and we are pleased to be making this regeneration project happen."
Work on the bus station should be completed by the end of the year.
Riverside North will take 18 months to finish.
- Published26 March 2013
