Stockport Interchange

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Stockport Interchange
BSicon BUS.svg
StockportInterchange.jpg
Stockport Interchange with Viaduct Park on the roof and the helix cycleway and walkway
General information
LocationChestergate, Stockport,
Greater Manchester, England
Coordinates 53°24′32″N2°09′47″W / 53.409°N 2.163°W / 53.409; -2.163
Transit authority Transport for Greater Manchester
Bus stands18
Bus operators Bee Network
Construction
Architect BDP (full scheme) [1]
The Harris Partnership (interchange - post-planning)
Leach Rhodes Walker (residential) [2]
History
Opened17 March 2024
Location
Greater Manchester UK location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Stockport Interchange
Location within Greater Manchester

Stockport Interchange is a transport hub in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. In addition to a bus station, it features walking and cycling links, a rooftop park, and a mixed-use residential and commercial building. The interchange officially opened on 17 March 2024.

Contents

History

In 2014 funding was awarded through the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal for the redevelopment of Stockport bus station into a modern transport interchange. A residential apartment block was added to the proposed scheme in 2016. [3]

In October 2018, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council submitted a planning application for the mixed-use development. [4] Planning permission was granted by Stockport Council on 21 March 2019. [5]

The development partners for the project included Stockport Council, TfGM, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Homes England and developer CityHeart. [6] The overall scheme was designed by BDP, [1] with the interchange designed by The Harris Partnership, [7] and the mixed-use residential and commercial building by Manchester-based architects Leach Rhodes Walker. [2]

Construction began in October 2021, [8] following the demolition of the town's bus station, which was located between Wellington Road (A6) and Stockport Viaduct. [9]

In March 2022, construction work on the interchange was started by the main contractor, Willmott Dixon. [10]

In January 2024, fit-out and decoration of the interchange began, along with the installation of the link between the building and Station Road. [11] Construction of Stockport Interchange was initially scheduled for completion in spring 2024, [12] but in February it was announced that passengers would be allowed access from 17 March 2024. [13]

Facilities

Viaduct Park Viaduct Park (geograph 7738070).jpg
Viaduct Park

The interchange includes an accessible, covered passenger concourse with seated waiting areas, 18 bus stands with capacity for up to 164 bus departures per hour, cycle storage facilities, and a travel shop. [14]

The development also features a 2-acre (0.81 ha) landscaped rooftop park situated above the bus station. [15] Following a public vote, the park was named Viaduct Park. [16]

A waterside walking and cycling route, incorporating a spiral ramp, provides access from the River Mersey and the Trans Pennine Trail to the park and onward to the town centre. [17] [18]

Mixed-use building

The site also includes a 17-storey, 196-unit built-to-rent residential building developed by CityRise Interchange Homes, a joint venture between Cityheart and Rise Homes. [19] The building incorporates two basement levels for parking and commercial units at ground level. [20]

The design of Stockport Interchange incorporates provisions for a future connection to the Metrolink network, with dedicated space reserved on-site for a tram stop. [21] In June 2025, it was announced that £2.5 billion in funding had been allocated to extend the Metrolink system, including a proposed link to Stockport. [22] [23]

References

  1. 1 2 Whelan, Dan (19 March 2024). "£140m Stockport Interchange opens". Place North West. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 Ing, Will (10 July 2023). "All change: The Stockport Interchange". Construction News. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  3. "Stockport Interchange Mixed Use Scheme – Update report" (PDF). Greater Manchester Combined Authority. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  4. "Plans in for Stockport Interchange". Place North West. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  5. Tute, Ryan (25 March 2019). "Plans approved for new £120m Stockport transport interchange". Infrastructure Intelligence. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  6. Hodgson, Neil (19 January 2022). "£40m residential scheme linked to Stockport Interchange regeneration". The Business Desk. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  7. "Stockport Interchange". The Harris Partnership. January 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  8. Whelan, Dan (18 October 2021). "Demolition of Stockport bus station begins today". Place North West. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  9. Slater, Chris (29 December 2023). "New Stockport Interchange taking shape as signs go up". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  10. Tague, Neil (18 March 2022). "Ground broken on £120m Stockport Interchange". Place North West. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  11. Hatmaker, Julia (31 January 2024). "Video: Construction timelapse of the £120m Stockport Interchange". Place North West. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  12. Slater, Chris (1 February 2024). "Incredible footage shows Stockport's skyline changing before our eyes". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  13. Slater, Chris (16 February 2024). "Opening date for Stockport's new £135m transport interchange and rooftop park confirmed". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  14. "Work begins on major Stockport town centre revamp". BBC News. Manchester. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  15. "Stockport Interchange: Bridge and rooftop park plans revealed". BBC News. Manchester. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  16. "Stockport rooftop park named after landmark viaduct". BBC News. Manchester. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  17. Slater, Chris (24 November 2023). "Incredible aerial shots show Stockport's new transport interchange and rooftop park - nicknamed 'The Tissue Box' - taking shape". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  18. "Stockport's new Interchange takes shape ahead of opening". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  19. Whelan, Dan (5 November 2021). "Ground broken on £120m Stockport Interchange". Place North West. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  20. "Application reference DC/071417". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  21. "Stockport calls for 'action, not words' on long-awaited tram link". BBC News. Manchester. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  22. McKiernan, Jennifer (4 June 2025). "Chancellor announces £15bn for transport projects". BBC News. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  23. Spina-Matthews, Sarah; Fitzpatrick, Kevin (4 June 2025). "Stockport 'can't wait' for tram to town centre". BBC News. Manchester. Retrieved 12 September 2025.