ABOUT RDA BUSINESS SUPPORT NEWS CONTACT

NEWS

Students enjoying a break outside Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Town Hall clock Rochdale regeneration in progress
NEWS: July 2010 - Heywood Firm Completes Major Expansion  •  July 2010 - New Public Art Opens in Middleton  •  July 2010 - Work starts on JD Sports warehouse on Kingsway Business Park •  June 2010 - RDA team wins excellence in regeneration award •  May 2010 - JD Sports signs deal for largest warehouse on Kingsway Business Park •  Apr 2010 - Rochdale to host UK ’s biggest bike race •  Mar 2010 - Community unites to combat fly-tipping •  Mar 2010 - Broughton Controls relocates to Rochdale •  Mar 2010 - Local people asked to give their views on town centre regeneration •  Feb 2010 - Rochdale sites spruced up in preparation for investment •  Jan 2010 - Council signs Building Schools for the Future contract •  Nov 2009 - Fun and games as businesses ‘go for gold’ at Lock 50 Business Centre •  Nov 2009 - Successful Heywood company opens new production line

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.

RELOCATE TO
ROCHDALE

The ideal business location.

KINGSWAY BUSINESS PARK

One of the UK’s most exciting and important new developments.

ROCHDALE TOWN CENTRE

A multi-million pound redevelopment.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Top quality opportunities for small and large enterprises.