Work gets under way at Stockport Interchange development
Work has officially started on the new multimillion-pound Stockport Interchange mixed-used scheme.
The commencement was marked by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Elise Wilson, who broke ground during a visit to the site in Stockport town centre.
The scheme, part of the £1bn investment in the town centre, will provide a new interchange with a two-acre park and 196 residential apartments.
It is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) together with building contractor, Willmott Dixon, and development partner, CityRise.
Andy 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 and provides 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.”
The scheme is the latest and largest new development by the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), a partnership that aims to set a new benchmark for town centre regeneration by bringing together powers devolved to the Greater Manchester Mayor combined with strong local leadership from Stockport Council and the long term commitment of the Government’s housing agency, Homes England.
The exchange will be able to link with TfGM’s tram network, and Cllr Elise 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, a place where for the first time we’ll have a fantastic town centre park to sit down and enjoy the amazing view of our impressive viaduct, and I hope residents and visitors will enjoy it, too.”
Due to open in spring 2024, the transport interchange will incorporate a covered passenger concourse with seated waiting areas, and 18 bus stands, providing capacity for future growth in bus services.
As part of the wider Bee Network vision, there will also be new cycling and walking routes connecting to the train station, as well as to the TransPennine Trail and town centre.
As part of the wider development, residential partners CityRise will deliver a landmark residential development comprising 196 apartments to provide new homes in the heart of the town centre and help tackle the need for future housing.
