Transport for Greater Manchester
Last week, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Stockport Council leader, Councillor Elise Wilson launched the official start of the work on Stockport’s transport interchange.
The interchange was in desperate need of a facelift, and this has now come in the form of a major £1bn investment for Stockport.
This specific part of the project is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Willmott Dixon is the main contractor and CityRise the development partner.
Burnham said: “The new transport interchange will be transformational for the regeneration of Stockport town centre, and will act as a welcoming gateway for the town, providing much improved facilities in the town and for public transport users.
“Stockport is a great place, with a proud history and bright future. This is an exciting investment in Stockport, and the project will boost the growth of the town centre and create a vibrant, innovative space that celebrates the town’s rich history and unique character.”
Transport for Greater Manchester
Some of the key design aspects of the new development include; a fully accessible, covered passenger concourse in the interchange with seated waiting areas, cycle storage facilities, 18 bus stands, with capacity to accommodate 168 bus departures per hour to allow for future growth in bus services and fully accessible toilets with baby changing and changing places facilities.
As well as this, the interchange will also benefit from a new two-acre town centre park above it, bringing more green space to Stockport town centre for everyone to enjoy.
The scheme comes under the guidance of Stockport’s Mayoral Development Corporation, which is focusing on driving forward town centre development, using powers devolved to the Mayor’s office and the support of national housing agency Homes England.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Demolition of the bus station started in October.
Councillor Wilson said: “There’s so many aspects that I’m looking forward to, especially the new rooftop park in the heart of our town centre, which will not just be the first park created in our borough for decades, but a park that will be bigger than a football pitch and which will completely transform the look, feel and presence of Stockport, more open space, more biodiversity, more trees and more importantly a place I can’t personally wait to spend time in.”
Transport for Greater Manchester
The park is due to open in spring 2024. As part of the wider Bee Network vision, the interchange will link to new routes through the town, and to the Trans Pennine Trail and town centre.
CityRise, which will deliver the residential element, is a joint venture between Cityheart and Rise Homes. In July 2021, the alliance secured a £21.5m cash injection from the Housing Investment Loans Fund.
