Willmott Dixon picked for Bury Interchange redevelopment
Transport for Greater Manchester has chosen the contractor to carry out the first phase of the transport hub’s overhaul.
Procured through the SCAPE construction framework, phase one of Bury Interchange will include Metrolink tram platform improvement works and a new footbridge over the tram lines, providing a direct link to Union Square, with step-free access to Pyramid Park via a new pedestrian route.
The eyecatching bridge, designed by Hawkins\Brown, will allow phase two of the redevelopment to progress, with the footbridge ensuring passengers will be able to access trams once the next phase of the scheme gets underway.
Willmott Dixon is due to begin work this month, with completion of phase one expected in early 2028.
In June, Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Bee Network approved £25.1m of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding for Bury Interchange. As well as revamping public transport amenity, the scheme opens out residential development around Pyramid Park, on which remediation has now started, with Watson Construction inked in to deliver around 200 homes.
Willmott Dixon and TfGM previously worked together to deliver the well-received £140m Stockport Interchange scheme, and have also teamed up on a £40m programme of bus depot electrification projects, in Oldham and Hyde Road, East Manchester.
WD’s other transport works include a trio of West Yorkshire bus stations, with a £16m project in Halifax completed and Dewsbury and Huddersfield now on site, representing a further £36.8m of work.
The firm also delivered the £17m net-zero North Shields transport hub, and gave Darlington station a re-presented gateway as part of a £140m masterplan.
Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “We are proud to be working alongside Transport for Greater Manchester once again on another vital investment in local transport facilities in the heart of Bury, creating a key piece of infrastructure to help enable plans for the wider regeneration of Bury Interchange.
“This is an exciting time for Bury with the ongoing Bury Town Centre masterplan, and we’re excited to be playing our part in helping re-shape Bury Interchange, providing a 57-meter steel pedestrian footbridge and essential platform and access upgrades to support phase two of the Interchange’s redevelopment.”
Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “The redevelopment of Bury Interchange will make journeys easier for people using Bee Network trams and buses and deliver vast improvements for Bury town centre.
“We will begin to turn this outdated facility into a modern, accessible and welcoming place, putting public transport at the heart of the town’s regeneration.”
TfGM said that trams will continue running to and from Bury throughout most of the project, although there will be some planned disruption to journeys which passengers will be given advance notice of.
Part of the Metrolink car park will be used for a construction site compound while work takes place, but most of the parking spaces will still be available throughout the first phase.
TfGM warned that there may be some short-term closures of the car park during this phase of work, adding that alternative Metrolink Park & Ride parking will be available at Radcliffe and Whitefield.
