Work set to begin on new bus interchange

Stockport Bus Station is to close from 29th August to enable work to begin on construction of a new bus interchange and town centre park in the latest phase of regeneration in the town centre.

The new £120 million interchange will provide a modern hub for bus connections in the town, and include a new town centre park, accessible from the A6 on its roof. A walking and cycling bridge will allow easier connections with Stockport Exchange and train station, and designs also include space for the Metrolink tram network to be extended into the town centre and connect with bus services.

The project is being undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council, working with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

With the existing bus station closed from 29th August to allow for the work to begin, the majority of bus services in the town centre will move to a new temporary facility in Heaton Lane Car Park.  A number of on-street bus stops will also be installed around Stockport town centre to provide passengers with a full bus service. Updated travel information including where services will now arrive and depart from in Stockport town centre is available from the TfGM website.

The TfGM Travelshop will also be relocated to a new site in Mersey Square while the bus interchange is under construction.

Stephen Rhodes, Customer Director at TfGM, said:

“It’s great news that this project is progressing well and we are now at the point where the temporary bus station can open up ahead of work getting underway at the old bus station, which has served Stockport since 1981.

“We appreciate there may be some disruption as people get used to the new arrangements are  put in place, but the temporary bus station offers a safe, convenient and easy to find location while the main works to create Stockport’s new transformational interchange are carried out.”

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

“This is a landmark moment for the town centre and our borough as we finally say goodbye to the current station that’s served us so well since it opened 40 years ago. Many a Stopfordian has passed through it and the memories it conjures up will live on.

“Nevertheless, the current station has had its time and Stockport Interchange promises to transform our town centre for the better with its new two-acre park above while further embedding Stockport’s commitment to sustainable and active travel.

“This is a really exciting time and the temporary station and on-street bus stops will ensure a full bus service continues while work on Stockport Interchange takes place.”

The new multi-million pound interchange, which is due to open to passengers in 2024, will act as a welcoming gateway into Stockport town centre and provide much improved facilities for bus users. It will also see the delivery of easier and improved routes into the town centre and to the railway station, as well as improved accessibility between the interchange and the A6. 

During construction of the main interchange, Daw Bank will be reduced to a single carriageway with traffic permitted into the town centre. Diversion notifications will be in place for road users travelling out from the town centre. Swaine Street will be closed during the works however, access to TN Robinson’s car park will remain available at all times.

To assist traffic flow and reduce any potential delays the parking bays located along Daw Bank will be removed, with alternative parking available in the Station Road car park and on-street at Exchange Street.