REVEALED: £530m plans for futuristic railway station
THIS is how Stockport train station could look following a £530m transformation.
Bosses have revealed a 12-year vision for a ‘vastly improved’ station which would serve as the ‘ultimate southern gateway to Greater Manchester’.
The ambitious plans feature a new public square, car park and improved passenger facilities.
They also include pedestrian links to the new transport interchange and the proposed Metrolink extension, should its route not take trams into the station.
There is also the possibility of a ‘tram train’ to Manchester Airport, which would create a direct connection to HS2.
And it is hoped new commercial space will attract businesses and create jobs.
The masterplan has been put together by the council in partnership with the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation - the body driving regeneration in ‘Town Centre West’.
It has been released in tandem with a plan setting out the infrastructure investment needed to support the town’s skyhigh ambitions.
Officially titled the Stockport Station Growth Prospectus, it states: “The station itself will be a 21st century thriving multimodal transport hub, with capacity and facilities suitable for all travellers, recognising the different needs of different personas.
“Interchange between rail, Metrolink, bus and active modes will be seamless, and station facilities will be outwardfacing, supporting the surrounding communities.”
Dependent on funding the transformation will take place in four stages over the next 12 years.
PHASE ONE (next three years).
This will cost between £100m and £200m and focus on connectivity improvements. Projects include: Replacement of Thomson Street Bridge to improve access to and from the railway station.
Replacement of Greek Street roundabout. This carries the road over the rail line, but the current structure includes a central support which limits railway capacity and is too narrow to allow for any future Metrolink extensions running parallel with the railway
New Stockport bus interchange (due to open in 2023).
Pedestrian links between the interchange and the station.
PHASE TWO (four to six years)
This will cost £50m£100m and is called the ‘station phase’ Projects include: New station overbridge to improve access to platforms.
Improved station facilities.
New platform layout to increase track capacity and enable additional services.
Metrolink extension (East Didsbury to Stockport).
PHASE THREE (seven to nine years).
This will cost £100m£150m and has been dubbed the ‘transit phase’. Projects include: New station car park Potential new station building on Edgeley side
Commercial development
Tram-train Stockport to Manchester Airport
PHASE FOUR (10-12 years)
This will cost £80m and is known as the ‘Edgeley’ phase.
Creation of public square
Commercial development to south of station
Coun David Meller, cabinet member for regeneration and economy at Stockport council, said: “These are ambitious projects and we need to put the building blocks in place now to help us achieve our aspirations for an additional 11,500 people calling the town centre ‘home’.
“Our plans will have a huge impact on central Stockport and will ensure that we are well placed to deal with any future changes, attracting worldclass businesses and strengthening our position as one of Greater Manchester’s most desirable residential locations.”