22 December 2008 - Plans for Rochdale Interchange
start to take shape
A major project to create a new public transport interchange
in Rochdale is beginning to take shape, following the appointment of a design
team.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has formed a five-strong
team of industry specialists to help bring the £11.5 million project
to life.
Experts from Jacobs UK Ltd, Marston and Grundy, Aedas Architects
Limited, Davis Langdon LLP, and Atkins have started the design process.
The
new interchange will be built on Smith Street, next to the River Roch, replacing
the town’s existing bus station. It will also be able to
accommodate a future Metrolink extension.
Paul Griffiths, GMPTE’s Interim
Projects Director, said: “I’m
delighted we now have a design team on board to help us to provide first
class public transport facilities for Rochdale.
“GMPTE has delivered some striking new bus stations and interchanges
in recent years. The new team has a wealth of experience and I’m sure
they’ll help us create a modern, safe and secure facility fit for the
21st century.”
John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development
Agency, said: “The
new interchange is a major element of the wider plans to transform Rochdale
town centre into a first class destination for shopping and business.
“Once complete, it will allow the demolition of the existing bus station
to create the space for a new retail development. It is great news that a
specialist team is in place and we look forward to seeing designs in the
future.”
The Interchange project is part of a wider scheme to redevelop
and revitalise the town centre’s riverside area. New civic offices
will also be built and a new restaurant and café area is also planned.
The
site of the new interchange has already been cleared and GMPTE arranged for
an archaeological team to carry out surveys and an excavation ahead of construction.
The
dig recovered buried remains of high local historical significance, which
represented the key elements of Rochdale's rapid rise as a national centre
for textile-machinery engineering in the early 19th century.
It is hoped that
some aspects of the excavation will be incorporated into the design.
Local residents and businesses will be consulted in spring next year before
the final designs are approved in summer 2009.
Media contact: Joel Sawyer
on 0161 244 1055 or email mediarelations@gmpte.gov.uk
Note to Editors
1) The new design team comprises:
– Jacobs UK Ltd (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering / Contract Administration).
– Marston and Grundy (Civil and Structural Engineering).
– Aedas Architects Limited (Architectural).
– Davis Langdon LLP (Quantity Surveying)
– Atkins (Construction Design and Management Co-ordinator)
2) The Department for Transport has agreed funding of £10 million for
the £11.5 million Rochdale Interchange project. £1.5 million
has already been provided by Rochdale Development Agency through the Single
Regeneration Budget, allowing the site to be prepared and cleared ahead of
construction.
3) GMPTE (Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive) implements the
policies of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. The Authority
is responsible for overseeing the provision of public transport in the county
and is made up of 33 councillors from the ten councils in Greater Manchester. | 
