Brand-new £33-million-pound transport hub opens in Cheltenham

Cheltenham's Arle Court Transport Hub is officially open and operating, with Phase Two of the £33-million-pound project finally complete.

The brand-new, modernly designed hub features a multi-storey car park as well as a number of bays for buses providing links between Gloucester and Cheltenham — with the station geared up to feature National Express stops, too.

Part of Gloucestershire County Council's efforts to improve transport in the county, the facility will connect residents and visitors to the town centre via the Park and Ride, while also providing accessible travel facilities such as lockers, hoops and maintenance tools for cycles; shower and changing facilities; and a dedicated Changing Places toilet.

Located off the Golden Valley bypass, the transport hub also includes 100 EV charging points — the largest non-bookable charging location in the UK — electronic screens with real-time departure information; a customer service desk, staffed from 6.30am until 7pm each day; and both indoor and outdoor waiting facilities for customers.

As well as National Express stops, also soon to come is a brand-new cafe that's set to open in 2025 — but thirsty travellers need not worry as vending machines with cold drinks and snacks are available now.

The expanded facilities feature 1000 on-site parking spaces, compared with 576 previously, and the stops are being served by a number of electric buses, making 20 per cent of the county's bus fleet entirely electric.

The car park is open from 6.30pm until 9pm, with the site being locked outside of these hours, and parking is only free for Park and Ride customers.

In the near future, the council is also aiming to introduce parcel collection and EV scooter hire, further fuelling its drive for cleaner and more sustainable travel.