Revamping Stockport: Launch of Interchange signifies crucial step in £1 Billion town centre revitalisation
The brand-new and appealing transport hub is revolutionising the town’s connectivity and features a new two-acre park, recently named Viaduct Park, new walking and cycling links to the railway station and town centre. This marks the first phase of the transformational regeneration of Stockport Town Centre West.
Delivered on time and within budget by Stockport Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, alongside construction company Willmott Dixon, the new interchange boasts 18 bus stands allowing for 164 departures an hour. This integration is part of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated, London-style transport system, as buses in Stockport will come under local control from January 2025.
The interchange has been designed with future Metrolink integration in mind, with TfGM working with Stockport Council on proposals to bring trams to the town. As part of Stockport’s £1 billion town centre regeneration journey, a landmark new 14-storey residential development with 196 one and two-bedroom apartments and commercial space will open this summer.
The park, the first of its kind in the UK, provides a green space for residents across the borough to enjoy, featuring play equipment, festoon lighting, and an events pavilion to connect neighbourhoods and communities. It has been a significant day in the town’s history, according to Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, as the interchange and Viaduct Park symbolise Stockport’s transformation.
The opening of the walking and cycling route from Viaduct Park to Station Road, connecting the interchange to the town’s train station, took place today. An eye-catching spiral and cycle walking ramp will connect the park with the River Mersey frontage and Trans Pennine Trail from late April, providing easy access to the town centre.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham praised the interchange as a world-class development enhancing prosperity and accessibility in Stockport. The construction of the interchange, costing £140m and starting in 2021, has been instrumental in delivering an ambitious vision for the town and improving public transport and active travel facilities.
Clean, safe, and welcoming, the new interchange offers covered waiting areas, real-time bus and train information screens, accessible toilets, lifts, ramps, and tactile stand indicators. Eamonn Boylan, Interim Chair of Stockport MDC, highlighted the project’s sustainability and contribution to transforming Stockport into the most liveable town in the UK.
Under construction since 2021, the Interchange prioritises sustainability, providing public transport options, improving air quality, and reducing congestion. Featuring green technologies like a ‘blue-roof’ rainwater system and photo voltaic panels, the project aligns with Stockport Council’s objectives for development and creating new green spaces.
