£10 million funding for new bus station in Rochdale

Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) has helped the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) secure £10 million of funding for a new bus station in Rochdale to support the town`s regeneration plans and help address problems with the current facility.

The scheme will replace Rochdale's current bus station, which is limited in terms of public facilities and offers poor integration with the town centre.

SDG's project director, Hugh Jones said: "The new interchange will be located in a strategically important site and plays an essential part in the town centre regeneration strategy.

"The scheme will make travelling by public transport more attractive by providing a high quality gateway to Rochdale town centre.'

The new bus station will bring significant benefits to users including real-time information on arrivals and departures, a safer and cleaner fully enclosed waiting area that includes public toilets, a travel centre, seating and the provision for a café and/or newsagent.

Steer Davies Gleave supported GMPTE through the bidding process for funding by appraising the economic costs and benefits of the proposed bus station and preparing the funding application for submission to the Department for Transport.

The Department for Transport has pledged £10m of Government support towards the bus station. The project will cost £11.5m in total, with the remaining funds being provided by EU Single Regeneration Budget funding.

Notes for editors

1. The new bus station will be built on a nearby brownfield site, on the opposite side of Smith Street, adjacent to the River Roch. This site has been under-utilised and will bring a step change in the urban atmosphere, as well as open up the length of the River Roch to pedestrian access.
2. Development plans recognise that the location of the current bus station has the potential for greater integration with the primary shopping area and presents significant opportunity to bring new commercial investment into the town centre and will be transformed into a central plaza.