Plans submitted for Rochdale's new £11.5m interchange

The detailed plans for Rochdale’s new £11.5 million transport interchange have been finalised.

GMPTE has submitted an application to Rochdale Council for detailed planning consent for the new interchange on Smith Street, next to the River Roch, in Rochdale town centre.

It will replace the existing bus station in the town centre and will also be next to the proposed town centre Metrolink stop.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s Interim Bus & Rail director, said, “Rochdale’s new transport interchange will be a vast improvement for both passengers and bus operators, who currently use a very outdated bus station built in the 1970s.

“The new interchange will provide improved passenger facilities such as a shop, a Travelshop and toilets, along with bus operator and supervisor facilities, and there will be electronic passenger information displays.

“Bus passenger and driver safety is our highest priority and has been integral to the design of the new interchange. As with all our new stations, we are making sure that we keep passengers away from moving buses as much as possible.

“There is still some work to do but I’m sure people in Rochdale will welcome the vast improvement it offers on the existing bus station.”

GMPTE has worked closely with Rochdale Development Agency over the past four years to ensure that the interchange was a priority both regionally and nationally. Subject to obtaining planning consent, it is intended that construction work could start in late 2010.

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency, welcomed the planning application saying, “The new interchange is a crucial part of the regeneration of the whole town centre and will provide first class transport facilities for local people.

“The demolition of the existing outdated bus station along with the existing council offices will clear the space needed for the proposed new multi-million pound retail development.”

In March 2008, the Department for Transport agreed funding of £10 million for the £11.5 million project. Funding of £1.5 million has been secured through the Single Regeneration Budget, managed by Rochdale Development Agency.

The plans have been developed in consultation with local bus operators, transport user groups and disability access groups.

The building has been designed by experts from Jacobs UK Ltd, Marston and Grundy, Aedas Architects Limited, Davis Langdon LLP and Atkins.