Stockport unveils station masterplan
Stockport Council has released images of its plans for the regeneration of the town’s rail station and surrounding areas, and how the station could connect to a Metrolink extension from the South of Manchester city centre.
The project includes two new station halls, joined across the train tracks by a glass walkway.
The masterplan has been created by WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff providing masterplanning, rail infrastructure, economic assessment and transport planning, alongside design architect BDP and economic consultant Ekosgen.
Alongside improvements at the train station, Stockport Council and TfGM plan to create a southern orbital network for Metrolink, connecting the east of Greater Manchester to Manchester Airport via Stockport town centre.
The masterplan also sets out how links between the rail station, transport interchange and the town centre will be improved.
The project has the backing of Stockport Council, Virgin Trains, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Network Rail.
A statement from Stockport Council said: “Sitting at a key position on the regional and national rail network Stockport Station has always been important both locally and for Greater Manchester, and welcomes over 3.5 million passengers a year. However, the station and facilities on offer do not reflect this. Stockport Council wants to ensure the station and the surrounding area achieves its full potential and commissioned a masterplan to develop its ambitions for the area.
“Breathing new life into the Station and surrounding areas, the vision is to transform the Station into a modern facility that provides a welcoming environment for all passengers and visitors. With redeveloped concourses; better access to platforms via a new footbridge; direct links with car parks and improvements made to the existing subway the plans would create a Station Stockport could be proud of.”
The station vision builds on work already taking place across Stockport through the council’s Investing in Growth projects, such as the development of the neighbouring Stockport Exchange by Muse. The council is hoping to create up to 2,000 new jobs in the town centre around the station.
Work on securing the funding for the project will now begin.