Work to start on multi-million pound Stockport interchange

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has awarded Willmott Dixon Construction the contract to deliver a new interchange with a rooftop park and associated residential development in Stockport town centre.

The multi-million pound project is part of a major redevelopment of the old bus station with developers CityHeart and Rise Homes in conjunction with Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Chris Barnes, Head of Projects Group at TfGM said, “The new interchange, which is due to open to passengers in 2024, will act as a welcoming gateway for the town and provides much improved facilities for public transport users. It will also see the delivery of easier and improved routes into the wider town centre and to the railway station, as well as improved accessibility between the interchange and the A6.” 

A key feature of the new transport interchange is a two-acre rooftop park which will create more green space, encouraging wildlife and biodiversity as well as providing a safe environment for people to meet and relax.

The rooftop park sits above a large passenger concourse with seated waiting areas, cycle storage facilities and 20 bus stands, providing capacity for future growth in bus services.

The new interchange also provides new cycling and walking routes to the train station and the town centre and connects into the Trans Pennine Trail, an off-road cycling and walking route running from the Irish to North seas. In a small nod to the past, the new interchange will retain a couple of GMPTE glass panels from the old bus station.

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said, “I’m really excited that we are creating a state-of-the-art transport hub for the borough, which will encourage use of sustainable transport, but also good quality new homes and a rooftop park in the heart of the town centre.”

As a part of the project Willmott Dixon will be working alongside local supply chain partners to create 40 local jobs and upskill the next generation of construction professionals through apprenticeship and trainee programmes.

They will also be running three Building Lives Academies which are employment and training programmes dedicated to supporting local care leavers, ex-military and people with disabilities to gain valuable construction skills, experience and support into employment.

Anthony Dillon, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said, “We are proud to be working in partnership with TfGM, Stockport Council and the development, design and funding partners to play our part in shaping the future of Stockport. This is an exciting investment and the project’s dynamic design will boost the town centre’s biodiversity and create a vibrant, innovative space that celebrates the town’s rich history and unique character.”