Kier awarded Rochdale interchange job

CONSTRUCTION of Rochdale’s new bus and tram interchange – powered by the adjacent River Roch – is set to start on site this month.

Kier Construction has been appointed to deliver the £11.5m scheme, which includes an integrated hydropower generation system.

Funding for the interchange was confirmed in February and the work will complete next year. Once built, the town’s existing bus station can be knocked down to make way for Genr8 Developments’ £150m foodstore-led town centre regeneration scheme.

Cllr Andrew Fender, chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “I’m delighted that we have reached this important milestone in the project and that people will shortly see work starting on the ground – a very real and tangible sign that their new interchange is on its way.

“It will not only be a very striking gateway to Rochdale and a vast improvement for both passengers and bus operators, it will also be a European first thanks to its innovative hydropower plant.”

The hydroelectric turbine converts energy from the river as it flows rapidly through a weir, turning a screw-shaped turbine capable of generating up to 86,000kWh of electricity a year – or around a quarter of the interchange’s power requirements.