Stockport interchange - news archive

Stockport’s new Interchange takes shape ahead of opening

With the interchange due to open in Spring 2024, new photographs reveal the latest from the scheme as its opening date fast approaches.

Read about how the interchange is progressing

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Stockport bus passengers urged to plan for Mersey Square bus stop closures

With new road closures starting in the New Year, some bus service stops are changing.

Read the full list of displaced services.

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New rooftop park hits next milestone as part of interchange transformation.

The scheme hits next milestone with the planting of the park’s first trees.

View the news article on this key milestone.

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Progress so far at Stockport interchange mixed-use development

Over a year on from work getting underway Stockport’s new interchange has started to emerge on the site of the old town centre bus station.

Click here to read the full news article on the progress made

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March 2022 - GM Mayor, Andy Burnham, and the Leader of the Council, Cllr Elise Wilson, officially mark the start of work on the development.

The pair broke ground and officially launched construction work on the scheme while visiting the site in Stockport town centre on Thursday 17 March 2022.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The new transport interchange will be transformational for the regeneration of Stockport town centre, and will act as a welcoming gateway for the town and provides much improved facilities in the town and for public transport users.”

During the ground breaking Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council, was delighted activity was moving so fast, saying: “Today really is a great moment for our borough. We’re ambitious for Stockport. Town centre green space, new homes, better transport. It’s all coming along at a great pace, and I’m sure it won’t be long until we can all enjoy the massive changes that we’re seeing in our town to make Stockport a better place for all.”

Full news article on breaking ground at Stockport interchange

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January 2022 – Public consultation on the cycle and pedestrian ramp

The transport interchange will transform this important part of our town centre. As well as improvement to bus provision, the scheme will include new cycling and walking infrastructure to make journeys on foot or by bicycle much easier and more attractive.

Following on from previous scheme consultation exercises, we undertook a one month public consultation specifically on the introduction of a new direct cycle and pedestrian access ramp.

The ramp will provide a step free, lift-free and traffic-free link for pedestrians and cyclists, between the two levels of the new park and the Mersey frontage, a height distance of some 8.5 metres.

Full news article on the ramp public consultation

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October 2021 - Demolition begins on the old bus station

Willmott Dixon, the scheme's delivery partner, started demolition of Stockport's old bus station on Monday 18 October 2021. Willmott Dixon has a strong track record of delivering large projects like this, including the landmark Rochdale Riverside regeneration scheme -- which also links to one of TfGM's interchanges.

Full news article on the begining of the demolition

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August 2021 - Heaton Lane temporary bus station opened

After 40 years of service we said a fond farewell to Stockport bus station, with bus services moving to a purpose built temporary bus station at Heaton Lane on 29 August 2021.

The temporary station ensures that bus passengers in the town continue to have access to a central bus station facility, once the old Stockport bus station site closed to allow for construction of the new interchange.

In addition to the new, temporary bus station opening on Heaton Lane, a number of on-street bus stops were also installed around Stockport town centre to provide passengers with a full bus and coach service.

Travel information and details of where you need to catch your bus or coach

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February 2021 - Tree removal - Daw Bank and River Mersey

As part of ongoing construction works for Stockport's new interchange, and prior to bird nesting season, a number of trees around the site are being removed. This includes trees that line the length of Daw Bank, along the River Mersey frontage and others within the vicinity of the bus station.

Work is due to start from 22 February 2021 and is due to take approximately one week to complete, with each tree undergoing a full inspection by a qualified tree specialist prior to removal.

In line with Stockport MBC's tree replacement policy, more trees will be re-planted than those removed. Additionally, plans include a new town centre park above the interchange, bringing more green space to Stockport town centre for everyone to enjoy.

Due to ongoing construction work, current timescales for the replanting of trees on the interchange site is Autumn 2023.

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January 2021 - Temporary Travelshop on Mersey Square

TfGM have now completed and opened the new Travelshop at 32 Mersey Square (near Debenhams), to provide passengers with public transport information and advice.

The Travelshop, located between 526 Jeanswear and Sandwich Pound, replaces the old unit at the entrance to the bus station during the construction of the new Interchange. The new Travelshop will provide passengers with public transport information and advice in a Covid-safe environment.

Further information on the services offered

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November 2020 - Stockport Interchange – Heaton Lane – temporary bus station

During the Coronavirus pandemic, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council have been able to continue progress on the new Stockport Interchange development. The interchange will provide a valuable contribution to the regeneration of Stockport town centre and remains on-track, with construction due to start on the existing bus station site, in 2021.

Work to provide a temporary bus station located on part of Heaton Lane car park began Monday 30 November 2020. Advanced notification was provided to Heaton Lane car park users and information displayed in the car park area.

This essential work is to ensure that bus passengers continue to have access to a bus station facility when the current Stockport bus station site closes for construction. A number of on-street bus stops will also be installed around Stockport town centre to provide passengers with a full bus service.

The temporary bus station is due to come into service in Summer 2021.

A new Travelshop will open at 32 Mersey Square (near to Debenhams) in January 2021, to provide passengers with public transport information and advice.

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25 September 2020

During the Coronavirus pandemic Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council have been able to continue progress on the new Stockport Interchange development. The interchange will provide a valuable contribution to the regeneration of Stockport town centre and remains on-track, with construction due to start on the existing bus station site, in 2021.

Link bridge connecting Stockport Interchange to Stockport Rail Station

You may recall that, just prior to lockdown in March 2020, a public consultation was held regarding a bridge linking the bus station with Stockport rail station. The team has incorporated feedback received and, following the outline planning permission already received in March 2019, the proposals are in a position to be submitted for formal reserved matters approval, later this year.

The bridge has incorporated some environmental changes as a result of the consultation. For example, 65% of responders described decorative planting to be important. As a result, the amount of steel used within the landscaped element, and will be reduced and replaced with a wildflower retaining wall. The bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure that will allow for improved access from the new interchange and the rail station.

Daw Bank advanced works

Advanced preparation work is due to take place on Daw Bank from Monday 12 October 2020 for a total period of approximately six weeks. Work will include widening works to the footpath and drainage works, between Exchange Street to the Wellington Road bridge. These works will require the full closure of Daw Bank between Exchange Street and Wellington Road North bridge for three weeks. Following this there will be a three week a single carriageway closure, with one-way vehicular operation.

During this time, parking bays located along Daw Bank, will be temporarily removed. Diversion notifications will be in place for road users and alternative parking is available on street at Exchange Street and at Station Road car park.

View a map of the Daw Bank works

Future activity

Work is still on schedule to begin on the construction of the new interchange in 2021. Prior to the closure of the current bus station, work to provide a temporary bus station and some on street bus stops, will take place in the winter of 2020/21.

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27 May 2020

You can now read the Stockport Interchange Mixed Use Scheme Outline Business Case. The Business Case provides a comprehensive overview of the scheme, including social and economic benefits, proposed facilities and an outline of the costs associated with the scheme’s development.

Please check back on a regular basis for further updates.

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