WSP appointed for Stockport masterplan

STOCKPORT Council has appointed global professional services firm WSP to design a masterplan for Stockport Station aimed at improving services and connectivity across Greater Manchester

The project has the backing of key partners Virgin Trains, Transport for Greater Manchester, Network Rail and the council.

Alongside this, Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester have a vision to create a southern orbital network for Metrolink, by connecting the east of Greater Manchester to Manchester Airport via Stockport town centre.

The plan will ensure that access to Stockport is improved and that the town can secure the full benefits HS2 offers, as well as improving direct connectivity to the fast growing Manchester Airport.
 
WSP’s masterplan, drawn up by its Manchester office, will look to strengthen Stockport’s position as a key hub on existing West Coast Main Line services, and ensure that opportunities the Stockport Exchange developments will offer are fully realised by the station.
 
WSP says it will provide Stockport Council with an integrated service, including master planning, rail infrastructure, economic assessment and transport planning, alongside design architects BDP and economic consultants Ekosgen.
 
Project director Adrian Kemp at WSP in Manchester said: “More than three million passengers travel through Stockport Station each year and it acts as a major commuter hub for Manchester, with capacity set to increase year-on-year.

“Setting out short, medium and long term goals to manage and facilitate this predicted growth will be a key outcome of the masterplan.

“We will be drawing on our extensive experience, having delivered masterplans for a number of Northern railway hubs including York and Leeds.

“Our breadth of expertise across multi-disciplines including building services, structures, environment, infrastructure and transport will enable the team to design a better-connected, improved station which is vital to support sustainable economic growth.”
 
Cllr Martin Candler, Stockport Council’s executive member for communities and sustainability said: “I am pleased that this important step forward towards developing Stockport Station has been taken.

“The station already offers superb access to regional and national destinations; however, the facilities on offer have not always reflected this.  

“As a council we are committed to ‘Investing in Stockport’ and ensuring that all of the borough’s strengths are built upon.  Aside from improving the station itself, the work undertaken by WSP will build on developments taking place at Stockport Exchange.”
 
BDP architect director Peter Jenkins added: “We are looking forward to developing a vision for the future of Stockport Station with the client and stakeholder team.

“Our current work in Greater Manchester at Victoria Station and the Northern Hub gives an insight to the regeneration and infrastructure opportunities that are being unlocked across the regional rail network. Stockport is ideally placed to draw on the benefits these projects will provide.”
 
The final masterplan report is expected to be submitted in July 2015.
 
WSP’s Manchester office consists of 181 staff operating across multi-disciplines, including structural and building services engineering, infrastructure, transport planning, management advisory and environmental consultancy.