New interchange linking to Stockport railway station gets contractor

A new interchange in Stockport has found its contractor.

Transport for greater Manchester has awarded the work to Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd, which will build a rooftop park and residential development as part of the project.

The interchange will include information on the nearby train services, as well as better links to the nearby railway station.

The multi-million pound project is part of a major redevelopment scheme being undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in conjunction with CityHeart and Rise Homes as the appointed development partner and Gresham House as equity investor for the residential element of the scheme.

Chris Barnes, head of projects group at TfGM said: “We are delighted to be working with Willmott Dixon to bring together this landmark development for Stockport town centre.

“The new interchange, which is due to open to passengers in 2024, will act as a welcoming gateway for the town and provides much improved facilities for public transport users, in line with the standards that have been set at the numerous other new interchanges we have delivered across Greater Manchester in recent years.

“It will also see the delivery of easier and improved routes into the wider town centre and to the railway station, as well as improved accessibility between the interchange and the A6.”

Beneath the unique rooftop park, there will be a fully accessible, covered passenger concourse in the interchange with seated waiting areas, cycle storage facilities and 20 bus stands, providing capacity for future growth in bus services.

It will also provide new cycling and walking routes to the train station, Trans Pennine Trail and town centre.

Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “I’m really excited that we are creating a state-of-the-art transport hub for the borough, which will encourage use of sustainable transport, but also good quality new homes and a rooftop park in the heart of the town centre for people to spend time in and enjoy.

“Indeed, the rooftop park is the first new park in the area for decades and as we’ve seen with the pandemic, the desire for more green space is huge.

“Work has now begun on the new interchange – the site is already unrecognisable, with the old station fully demolished – and I’m looking forward to following its progress over the upcoming months.”

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