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Stockport Council is planning £5.5 million of repairs to ensure the continued safety of the Merseyway car park.
Proposed works, due to be agreed by Stockport Council’s cabinet on 1st February, will deliver structural repairs to the car park, halting further water ingress to retail units and protecting the structure for the future. With a number of surface car parks set to be lost to development, the Council expects the Merseyway facility to increase in its importance as footfall returns to the town centre following the coronavirus pandemic and in light of new residential and commercial development in the town centre, such as the Stockroom library and community hub.
As a result of ongoing development, the council is expecting use of the car park to return to pre-pandemic levels, and repairs and improvements will help guarantee the Council’s revenue stream for the future. The car park generated £0.988 million for Stockport Council in 2019/20, however this fell to £0.607 million in the following year as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
Work is expected to take place from 2022 to 2024 and in addition to structural repairs, will allow for remarking and improvements to pedestrian access and accessibility for disabled visitors to take place. Plans are under development to install solar panels and electric charging provision via the Greater Manchester Unlocking Clean Energy project.
Repairs will focus on the Orange, Yellow and Green zones of the car park, with further work on remaining areas subject to a second phase of repairs that will require separate approval. No work is required for the Debenhams and Redrock car parks that also connect with Merseyway.
Delivery of the improvements will be funded through borrowing, with repayments paid for by parking revenue from the car park.