The new Welwyn Garden City bus station is set to open next week, almost two months later than expected.

The £1million investment will open on Sunday (May 20), following six months of improvement works.

It consists of a new custom designed bus enclosure that houses all seven bus stops and provides covered waiting areas with seating for nearly 70 people.

New lighting and electronic departure screens have also been added.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said: “It ensures easier safer access for both pedestrians and bus drivers.”

Buses will enter the new stops ‘nose-in’ in a bid to prevent any need to walk in front of one bus to get to another.

A feature of the new station will be a reproduction of the Welwyn Garden City Masterplan map designed by architect Louis de Soissons in 1920.

Elements of the design have been incorporated onto the glass areas, highlighting the link between the original design for Welwyn Garden City, the modern town and its 21st century bus station.

The area surrounding the bus station has also been renovated with new block paving and kerbing, new street lighting as well as street furniture and landscaping.

Originally Hertfordshire County Council announced that the work would be finished by March 23.

Back in November 2017 bus users questioned whether the work was really necessary.

READ MORE: Pensioners’ well-being fears following Welwyn Garden City bus station work

Many of the elderly users struggled to walk to the temporary bus stops in the town, and feared that there was not enough shelter for people as temperatures plummeted.

Temporary bus stops were provided outside John Lewis, as well as outside Waitrose and across the road from Waitrose on Bridge Road.

Ralph Sangster, cabinet member for Highways, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to make this £1million investment in Welwyn Garden City, much of it funded by developer contributions, and improve public transport in the town.

“I’m sure passengers and passers-by will notice a real difference, not just to the look and feel of the bus station, but also to how it operates.

“I’d like to thank bus users for bearing with us while these works have been taking place.

“It’s disappointing that the harsh winter delayed the project by several weeks, but I hope people will think it was worth it when they see the new bus station in operation.”

There will be a formal opening ceremony at the bus station on Monday, May 21.

For more information about this scheme or to contact the project team visit https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/wgcbusstation