Stockport Interchange

Stockport Interchange is a transport hub in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. As well as a bus station, it includes walking and cycling links, a rooftop park, and a mixed use residential and commercial building. The interchange opened on 17 March 2024.

History
In 2014, funding was awarded from 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.

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

The development partners for the project comprised Stockport Council, TfGM, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Homes England and developer CityHeart. The interchange was designed by The Harris Partnership, with the mixed use residential and commercial building being designed by Manchester architects Leach Rhodes Walker.

Work on the project began in October 2021, with the demolition of the town's bus station, located between Wellington Road (A6) and Stockport Viaduct.

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

In January 2024, fit out and decoration of the interchange began, as well as the installation of the link between the building and Station Road. Construction of Stockport Interchange was initially due to be completed in spring 2024, though it was announced in February that passengers will be allowed access from 17 March 2024.

Facilities
The interchange includes an accessible, covered passenger concourse with seated waiting areas, 18 bus stands with the capacity to accommodate 164 bus departures per hour, cycle storage facilities and a travel shop.

The development also includes a 2 acre landscaped park on its roof, located above the bus station. Following a public vote, it was named Viaduct Park.

A waterside walking and cycling route with a spiral ramp provides access from the River Mersey and the Trans Pennine Trail to the park and onward to the town centre.

Mixed use building
The site of the interchange also includes a 17-storey, 196-unit Build to Rent residential building by the developer CityRise Interchange Homes, a joint venture between Cityheart and Rise Homes. There are two floors of basement parking and commercial units on the ground floor level.

Future
The design of Stockport Interchange has made allowance for a future connection to the Metrolink network, with space being left for a tram stop on the site, should the network be extended to the town.