Team assembled for Stockport interchange scheme

Engineering consultancy WSP’s Manchester office has been appointed by Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council to progress the redevelopment of the town’s bus station at Daw Bank into a £41m transport interchange.

WSP, which has worked on Stockport projects including the A6 corridor masteplan and the Stockport station masterplan, will conduct a feasibility study drawing together potential development opportunities around the interchange area that could pull in further investment.

The firm, working alongside design architect BDP, will provide services including transportation and infrastructure, building services, structures, environmental and town planning.

The project could include a 150-unit residential block and a range of shared community services above the interchange. Funding for the interchange development is being supported by central government through the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal Programme.

WSP will submit its initial report this summer ahead of a planning application later this year.

Richard Jones, director at WSP, said: “Our local knowledge and established working relationship with the client team were key to our appointment for this complex high-profile project which will be one of the first true transit-orientated developments of this scale outside of London.

“We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Stockport Council and TfGM to design a connected, commercially viable transport interchange which will stimulate future economic growth in the town.”

Last month, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority approved £20m funding for phase 2b of Stockport’s town centre access plan, which included an advanced works package for a new bridge into the interchange.

Indicative plans for the Stockport station masterplan revealed last February by WSP and BDP show Stockport’s aim to secure a Metrolink extension that would go through the interchange to Stockport station, but these plans have not yet reached the business case stage.

Cllr Kate Butler, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport, said: “We’re committed to improving transport in Stockport for everyone, and the new Stockport transport interchange is vital to this.”