Images reveal vision of station area revamp
NEW images have been released showing how the area around Rochdale train station could look as part of council proposals to regenerate the area.
Earlier this year the council consulted on ambitious plans to transform the area which includes pedestrianising a section of Maclure Road to create a brand new public square in front of the train station.
The creation of new homes and business space, alongside a 500 space park and ride facility on Miall Street, are also proposed as part of the wider redevelopment of the area.
The plans are outlined in a supplementary planning document (SPD). This sets out development principles for an area and is taken into taken into consideration whenever planning applications are submitted in the future.
Having an SPD in place also makes it easier for the council to attract external funding to help drive regeneration.
The council has now reassured residents and businesses that vehicle access to all homes and businesses in the area will be maintained, after concerns were raised during a public consultation on the SPD earlier this year.
Coun John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and communications at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We received a number of responses to our consultation and we’ve responded to the concerns people have raised.
“These changes will allow us to deliver major improvements to really lift this whole area, while also maintaining vehicle access for all residents and businesses, including along the busy area of Milkstone Road.
“The only section which will close to traffic will be the area immediately in front of the station, and all access to existing buildings, including the Nye Bevan Centre, Curtain Theatre and St John the Baptist Church, will be maintained. This is a really important area of Rochdale; it’s a major gateway into our borough and the first thing people see when they get off the train, sometimes for their first visit to Rochdale.
“At the moment, people are greeted with a sea of cars and a confusing road layout, which creates a really poor first impression and a very unfriendly welcome.
“It doesn’t do justice to this area at all.
“These proposals will massively improve this neighbourhood, while also respecting and enhancing the unique character of the area and its thriving business and residential community.”
The council’s cabinet will now vote on whether to formally adopt the SPD on Tuesday, September 21.
The proposals are part of the council’s rail strategy, which seeks to enhance Rochdale’s transport links by creating 7,000 new homes and over 100,000 M2 of employment space along the rail corridor to create up to 11,000 new jobs around the borough’s five railway stations.
Major improvements are already underway, with the brand new Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum opening earlier this year following a multi-million pound lottery funded revamp, while plans to create new homes at the former Central Retail Park, a stone’s throw from the train station, are being progressed.
You can view and read the rail strategy here: https://investinrochdale. co. uk/ images/ uploads/ files/rail_strategy.pdf
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GLOBAL fashion giant New Look has signed up to the ambitious Rochdale Riverside scheme, meaning the retail and leisure development is now 92 per cent let. (September 10):
Bev Daley: All well and good but what is going to happen to the old shopping centre? Half its units were empty anyway. We need a Primark. David Riley: Needed to do summat as Rochdale was dying on its feet, like a lot of northern towns. Gwen Tyler: It says new to the Riverside not Rochdale - New Look had no choice to close after the Wheatsheaf owners shut its doors. Andrew Aykroyd: You mean the New Look that was already in the Wheatsheaf centre. Not exactly a new shop in Rochdale, just a new location. Zizzie Hill: ‘What about Primark’, let’s not bother. Steve Sanderson: Council gone very quiet on a decent market for the town. Mirren Ferentiuk: Won’t make any difference! Lights are already turned off. Donna Hames: Glad New Look is back. Gill N John Willmanback: That’s all that matters, this made my daughters day.
●● TEEN found dead in bed by mum was on brink of new life in America (September 13):
Kelly Proctor: Oh my heart. R. I. P Craig I used to babysit Craig for his mum and dad when he was a baby they lived across the road from me.
Lovely happy little lad, so good beautiful boy. I just can’t believe this. Sending all my love to his family thinking of you all.
I can’t imagine to think of what you’re going through right now. Maliha Imran: What a sad news about teen… can’t stop thinking about poor mum. Adam Gooner Trennery: Their4u Fundraising are raising money for Criag, if you would like to have a look at their Facebook page and possibly make a donation it would be greatly appreciated. Kathleen Bridget Rush: Rip Craig.