A multi-million pound project to create three new bus stations is at vastly different stages of development, West Yorkshire transport chiefs have heard.

A scheme to revamp Brighouse bus station was completed this year, while work has just begun on a bus station in Pudsey, but a date for Heckmondwike bus station to start looks some way off.

A report, presented to transport authority Metro’s Facilities Working Group, said contractor Allenbuild had been appointed to construct a new bus station in Pudsey and added that work got under way at the end of October.

It said: “The first stage of the works was to close the Council-owned short-stay car park. The contractors have now commenced demolition and service diversion works in this area and this preliminary work should be completed in January 2010.”

During the first stage of work, the bus station in Pudsey will remain open, but the road in front of the leisure centre will close when an alternative route across the Market Place is provided.

The closure of the road affects 11 school bus services a week that use the leisure centre. Education Leeds and the leisure centre have informed the schools of alternative arrangements.

The second stage of work will start in January 2010 and involves the closure of the existing bus station. Bus services will use new temporary bus stops.

The report also outlined the situation regarding proposals to build a new bus station in Heckmondwike, to incorporate a library and information centre.

It said: “Discussions continue with Kirklees Council regarding the provision of a library and information centre in Heckmondwike which incorporates improved bus facilities.

“The Council has prepared a proposal which includes five stands and has obtained outline planning permission for the scheme. The Council has experienced difficulty in assembling the site which has delayed progress.

“However, they hope to reach a negotiated settlement with the landowner whose property is needed to assemble the site. If this cannot be achieved they will use the Compulsory Purchase Order procedure.”

The report added that the new six-stand bus station in Brighouse, completed in May, had been well received.