Willmott Dixon has been selected to demolish Stockport's old bus station to make way for a new state-of-the-art transport interchange in the heart of the town centre.

The new multi-million pound transport interchange being developed in Stockport is part of a major redevelopment scheme being undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

One key feature of the new interchange is a new two-acre rooftop park on top of the interchange, maximising the available space and bringing more green space to Stockport for everyone to enjoy. The park is expected to encourage wildlife and biodiversity as well as provide a safe environment for people to meet and relax.

In addition to the unique rooftop park, there will be a fully accessible, covered passenger concourse in the interchange with seated waiting areas, cycle storage facilities and 20 bus stands, giving space for future growth in bus services. It will also provide new cycling and walking routes to the train station and town centre. In a small nod to the past, the new interchange will also retain a couple of GMPTE glass panels from the old interchange.

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As part of the wider development, residential partners CityRise will deliver a landmark residential development comprising of 196 high quality apartments to provide new homes into the heart of the town centre. The scheme is being delivered with support from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and a grant from Homes England.

Stephen Rhodes, Customer Director at TfGM, said: "The demolition of the old bus station, which forms part of a wider package of site preparation works, really marks a big step forward in this project and will help to make way for a new, innovative interchange.

"We appreciate that our site preparation works may cause some disruption, and we will aim to keep this to a minimum.

"The new interchange, which is due to open to passengers in 2024, will act as a welcoming gateway into Stockport town centre and provide much improved facilities for bus users. It will also see the delivery of easier and improved routes into the town centre and to the railway station, as well as improved accessibility between the interchange and the A6."

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: "I'm so pleased that work is progressing to bring forward not only a state of the art transport hub but also good quality new homes and a rooftop park in the heart of the town centre for people to spend time in and enjoy.

"We want to encourage people to find alternative transport methods to using a car and this new hub will allow residents to take the bus, train and eventually Metrolink when it arrives in Stockport. Our ambitious plans for the town centre are being delivered at pace and this is a key piece of the jigsaw."