The multi-million pound development – which boasts 18 bus stands with the capacity for 164 departures an hour – will boost connectivity in the town centre, with the interchange connected to the train station by a new walking and cycling route.
The new transport and connectivity site is a key pillar of the £1 billion transformation of the town centre.
The rooftop park is a first of its kind in the UK and will be a unique green space that residents from all over the borough can enjoy. It will feature play equipment, festoon lighting, and a community space that will help to connect Stockport’s neighbourhoods and communities. In the run up to the development opening, the park’s name will also be revealed, and shortlisted names were put to a public vote earlier this year.
Plans have been confirmed to host an opening celebration event as part of Stockport’s Town of Culture events programme the following weekend, on March 23 and 24.
Passengers can start to use the new interchange from the 17th March, when some nearby stops, including Heaton Lane bus station will close and services will transfer to the new Interchange. A full list of bus services which will use the new interchange, and which stops will be closing can be found on the TfGM website.
Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner said:
“We can’t wait to welcome passengers to the new, state of the art interchange at Stockport – complete with town centre park – from 17 March.
“The old bus station has been transformed into a modern, attractive and accessible interchange with facilities for customers and staff fit for the 21st century. It will help people to make journeys around Stockport, Greater Manchester and further afield and will be a central element in the introduction of Bee Network buses in Stockport from January 2025.
“I urge everyone to make sure they are familiar with where they need to go to catch their bus before the interchange opens on March 17.”
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“We’re now in a position to reveal the date of the opening of the Interchange and our new, unique, town centre park and it’s fantastic that we’re so close.
“The progress that has been made to date has been truly transformational for our town centre, which is all part of the exciting £1 billion investment that’s underway to make Stockport an even better place in which to live, work, play and connect.
“The opening of the site is just the start of the amazing things we have planned for Stockport this year and will continue with our Town of Culture Weekend taking place on March 23 and 24.”
Passengers will be able to access Stockport Interchange from entrances on Mersey Square, Swaine Street and Daw Bank from March 17 and these entrances will be clearly signposted.
From March 18 there will also be access to the interchange from the new rooftop park via both lifts and stairs. From the end of April, a new eye-catching spiral and cycle walking ramp connecting the new park with an area along the River Mersey and the Trans Pennine Trail will open. This will give people easy access to the park and the town centre whether travelling by cycle or on foot.
Stockport Interchange features a fully accessible passenger concourse with seating areas for people to use while waiting to catch their bus. There are fully accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities, step-free access provided by lifts and ramps, wayfinding lines and tactile stand indicators. Cycle parking facilities will be found in the A6 archway along the Mersey frontage, while a taxi rank for customers will be located near the Interchange pavilion exit on Mersey Square.
A new walking and cycling path will also connect Station Road and Stockport Railway Station to the new park and bus interchange, with the segregated route providing step free, easy and safe access for people walking, wheeling and cycling between the two destinations. This new route will open along with the park on the morning of March 18.
A landmark residential block, made up of 196 high-quality one and two-bedroom apartments, which also forms part of the scheme is targeted for completion in May with residents beginning to move in the following month.
