Stockport Interchange takes shape ahead of Spring opening

Work is nearing completion on Stockport Interchange, the town centre’s new transport hub, ahead of its expected opening in Spring 2024.

Work began on the site of the former bus station in Autumn 2022, and a new timelapse video has been released to show how the development has come together.

Once complete, Stockport Interchange will feature 18 bus stands with the capacity for 164 departures an hour, a new two-acre town centre park and 196 high-quality apartments. ?A new pedestrian and cycle route will link to the town’s rail station and the spiral ramp will link the new park to the Mersey frontage, Trans Pennine Trail and onward to the town centre.

Plans are currently in place to host an opening celebration event as part of Stockport’s Town of Culture events programme.

The most recent progress on the site as Stockport Interchange nears completion include landscaping works on the rooftop park and planting alongside the link with the train station; progress on the spiral ramp to like with the Mersey frontage; and decoration and fixtures inside the bus terminus.

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

“It’s great to see the progress that has been made in transforming the bus station into a modern state-of-the-art transport interchange.

“It won’t be long before residents and visitors can make use of the new facilities, walkways and cycling routes, and the unique rooftop park overlooking the town centre.

“It’s all part of the exciting £1 billion investment that’s underway to make Stockport an even better place in which to live, work, play and connect.

“This is just the start of the amazing things we have planned for Stockport this year.”

Chris Barnes, Head of Projects Group at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said:

“This is a really exciting time for Stockport and Greater Manchester as the new interchange nears completion.?? 

?“This is a truly state-of-the-art development that represents a landmark in the transformation of Stockport town centre.?? 

“Building the Bee Network in Greater Manchester is about helping people to get around and the Interchange is a fantastic example of that – making it easier to catch buses and at the same time connecting them to rail through walking, wheeling and cycling routes.? 

“The new facility will help people to travel around Stockport and beyond and we look forward to updating people soon on when it will be open for business.”? 

The scheme forms a major part of the wider investment programme into Stockport town centre and is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport MDC, Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in conjunction with building contractor Willmott Dixon, and development partner CityRise.?

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, said:

“From the very beginning we’ve been determined to, not only deliver an interchange and residential development that this town can be proud of, but to change lives and create opportunities for the people of Stockport.

“As progress continues, we’re proud to say that, alongside TfGM and Stockport Council to date, we’re created 151 new jobs, delivered more than 675 weeks of apprenticeship and training weeks, as well as 56 work placements.

“We continue to work with local organisations to deliver employment opportunities for local people facing barriers to work through our dedicated Building Lives Academy programme.

“Alongside this, we’ve worked extensively with Stockport College, supporting local young people into employment, apprenticeships as well as higher technical roles through T-Level courses.

“Through a wide range of careers related sessions and programmes at Werneth School and Stockport School as well as Mayor Andy Burnham’s Work Place Safari initiative, we’ve raised awareness of construction careers with young people.

“We continue to support all these great organisations as well as supporting the likes of The Wellspring homelessness support charity and our friends at the Webb Lane Community Allotments.”