Proposals for the £85million pound re-development of the town centre’s bus station to create a new Stockport Transport Interchange, including the creation of a two acre park, have been given the green light by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Funded by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council and the GMCA, the development is planned for the site of the existing Stockport Bus Station alongside the A6 and Mersey Square in the town centre and will continue the radical £1 billion transformation under way in Stockport town centre.
Councillor Alex Ganotis, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“I’m pleased that proposals for the transport interchange project have been given the go-ahead today. This is such an important project for Stockport and will take our transformation of the town centre to the next level.
“We believe that the creation of a new park, new homes for residents and modern public transport facilities will all be great additions to our town.
“I would urge everyone who lives or works in Stockport to the take the opportunity to give us your views on the proposals, as your feedback will help to shape our final plans.”
Proposals for the new Stockport Transport Interchange include:
• a fully accessible, covered passenger concourse in the interchange with seated waiting areas
• better and easier routes to the town centre and rail station for pedestrians and cyclists. This includes upgrading the section of the Trans Pennine Trail alongside the River Mersey and interchange, and a lift between the interchange and A6
• bus and train travel information screens and a new Travelshop for tickets and information
• 20 bus stands, providing capacity for future growth in bus services
• a new town centre park and public space, with level access directly from the A6
• a residential development off Daw Bank with up to 200 apartments and associated car parking.
• accessible toilets in the interchange with baby changing and ‘Changing Places’* facilities
• enhanced CCTV across the interchange
• cycle parking
People in Stockport can give their views on plans for the state-of-the-art transport interchange ahead of a planning application being submitted to Stockport Council later this year.
From Monday 2 July until Sunday 29 July 2018, TfGM and Stockport Council are inviting residents, businesses and community groups to tell us what they think of the plans, to help finalise proposals before they are submitted as part of a planning application.
People can give their views through an online questionnaire at TfGM or at one of a number of public information events being held in the town:
• Thursday 5 July, 10am-2pm, Stockport Bus Station
• Saturday 14 July, 10am-2pm, Mersey Square (outside entrance to Merseyway Shopping Centre)
• Tuesday 17 July, 10am-2pm, Stockport Bus Station
• Tuesday 24 July, 10am-2pm, Stockport Rail Station
The TfGM project team will be available at these events to give further information and answer any questions on the scheme.
As well as building on Stockport’s already first-class connectivity, the interchange will continue the transformation begun by developments like Stockport Exchange and Redrock that have put the town on the map as a great place to live; work and visit.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“Plans for a modern transport interchange, residential development and large public park demonstrate a clear ambition for Stockport to become a key urban centre in South Manchester.
“It’s also a fantastic example of integrated town centre planning, with TfGM and Stockport Council working together to build something that will benefit an entire community. This is a key part of my Town Centre Challenge.
“Stockport is already an exciting place to live, work and socialise in and this new development will play an important role in making travel easier and supporting further regeneration.
“I’m now calling on train operators to free up land around rail stations across Greater Manchester so these areas can also be used for regeneration and redevelopment purposes, providing huge benefits for towns and districts.”
Funding for the interchange project is being supported by central government through the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal programme.
For more information on Stockport Interchange, visit the dedicated webpage on the TfGM website