Work has begun to create Stockport’s first new, town-centre green space in decades.
Interchange Park is a new green space set to shape the regeneration of Stockport.
Stockport Interchange will be a new Transport Interchange with a state-of-the-art public park on its roof. The new development will sit on the site of the old bus station between Swaine Street, the A6, the River Mersey and Daw Bank.
It’s hoped that the investment in the new interchange will support sustainable transport around Stockport and Greater Manchester. Linking local buses, trains, and in the future, the Metrolink network will make sustainable transport an attractive and viable option for the people of Stockport, reducing the number of car journeys made.
Sitting on top of the new transport hub, a new two-acre rooftop park will encourage wildlife and biodiversity within the town centre, as well as create a green space for everyone to enjoy.
The park will have a circular opening, an oculus, to provide natural light and ventilation to the interchange below. A link bridge will also encourage pedestrian and cycle routes to the station.
It’s hoped that the park will be a destination in itself, providing an outdoor event space and green space to help people in the town centre connect with nature.
The pandemic and increased awareness of climate change has re-established the importance of safe, outdoor spaces within towns and cities.
Consultations before the final design stage allowed the people of Stockport to share their priorities for the park, among which were climate and energy efficiency and encouraging wildlife into the area.
The development will also be home to 196 new one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as retail units. Stockport Council has promised to remove the minimum number of trees during construction and to plant two new trees for every one removed. Plans also include a tree-lined ‘residential street’ to integrate the building into Interchange Park and a private resident’s garden to the rear of the building.
It’s hoped that the park’s dynamic design create a vibrant, innovative space that celebrates Stockport’s rich history and unique character while encouraging biodiversity within the area. The development will also play a role in encouraging sustainable transportation and improving Stockport’s connectivity.
Construction began in November 2021, with the park and interchange set to open to visitors in Spring 2024.
You can find more information about Interchange Park here.
