Rochdale Transport Interchange opens

Rochdale’s £11.5m transport interchange opens its doors to the public on Sunday 17 November

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

Rochdale’s new transport interchange opens its doors to the public on Sunday 17 November.

The interchange, which is located on Smith Street, will provide enhanced levels of facilities and improved safety and security for bus passengers and will link directly with the new Metrolink extension, due to be completed by Spring 2014.

The development, which stands next to Rochdale Council’s new office building and customer service centre, Number One Riverside, replaces the town’s old bus station which was built in 1978.

The new facility will be Europe’s first transport interchange to have an integrated hydropower source.

The scheme is part of the wider £250m redevelopment of Rochdale town centre, which includes the construction of Number One Riverside, the new Metrolink line and a £100m new retail and leisure development.

The opening of the interchange paves the way for the demolition of the old council office, known as the black box, and the old bus station, which will make way for the proposed shopping and family leisure facility.

The car park above the bus station will remain operational for the immediate future while the walkways into the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre, Marks & Spencer and Yorkshire Street will also stay open for the short term.

Councillor Peter Williams, Rochdale Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It is a first class facility which is safe and welcoming and which sits impressively alongside our new customer service centre and offices, which have also been built in a highly sustainable way.”