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Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and partners are celebrating after winning a prestigious national award for Stockport town centre’s new transport interchange.
Stockport Interchange won the Design, Engineering and Construction Project of the Year category at the National Transport Awards on Thursday 3rd October. The opening of the interchange in March this year has helped to further cement Stockport as one of the best-connected places in the North West. It will also form a vital part of the Bee Network from January, when Greater Manchester rolls out the final phase of bus franchising in the borough and elsewhere in the south of the city-region.
It was delivered in partnership with Stockport Council, GMCA, and Willmott Dixon, as well as CityRise which brought forward 196 apartments overlooking the rooftop park.
The award recognises the pioneering approach that was taken to the scheme, which was delivered on time and on budget. It boasts 18 bus stands – allowing for some 164 departures an hour – as well as clean, spacious, safe and welcoming facilities for passengers. The scheme also features a UK-first rooftop park and new active travel links in the form of a bridge to the rail station and a spiral ramp connecting the rooftop park to Stockport town centre and the Tran Pennine Trail. It is completed by a 17-storey residential building, with 196 one and two-bedroom ‘built to rent’ furnished apartments, which has already begun welcoming residents, and 780 sq m of commercial space.
The award is just the latest recognition for the Interchange, which is one of the most innovative and largest projects outside of London and is part of a wider £1 billion regeneration programme of Stockport town centre.
Steve Warrener, Managing Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said:
“Stockport Interchange is a superb modern facility and one we are rightly proud of.
“It is a key piece of the Bee Network, joining up journeys made by walking, wheeling and cycling with buses and trains, and is a great gateway to the town centre and surrounding areas.
“Since it opened in March, thousands of people have enjoyed the space, not just to make their journeys to spend time in the new park. We’ve also since seen the first people start calling the residential building home.
“With buses in Stockport set to join the Bee Network in January, the Interchange is playing a key role in bringing prosperity to the town, opening up access to jobs, skills and education, as well as supporting regeneration by attracting increased footfall and investment.
“I’d like to thank all our partners, who have been involved in the Interchange and helped to make it such a success.”
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“This latest accolade for our multi-award-winning transport interchange is testament to the partnership working between Transport for Greater Manchester and colleagues at Stockport Council.
“The Interchange and Viaduct Park are the jewels in the heart of our £1billion regeneration of our town centre and have helped to make journeys more accessible than ever.”
Anthony Dillon, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the North added:
“We’re delighted to have played our part alongside TfGM and Stockport Council in delivering a key milestone on Stockport’s £1bn town centre regeneration journey and an integral part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network.
“This accolade reflects the huge collaborative effort that went in to delivering the project, and we’re thrilled for all of our partners and supply chain to see the transformational Stockport Interchange recognised.
“Stockport Interchange has been built with the Stockport community at the heart of the project and we’re proud that alongside TfGM and Stockport Council, we’ve created 175 new jobs, delivered over 850 apprenticeship and training weeks and provided 103 work placements.”