Work begins to clear land for Rochdale Transport Interchange

Date published: 21/11/2006

Rochdale’s political leaders have welcomed the start of work to clear the site for a new public transport interchange in the town.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) is planning to build Rochdale Transport Interchange on Smith Street, next to the River Roch.

The new interchange will replace the existing bus station and play an essential part in the regeneration of the town centre. Work to demolish buildings and clear the land, which is owned by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, began last month.

Senior representatives from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency visited the site to see how the work is progressing.

Councillor Allen Brett, GMPTA Vice Chairman and Rochdale spokesperson, said: "It’s great to see work taking place to clear the site as it shows our plans to build a new public transport interchange in Rochdale are becoming a reality.

"We’ve already secured one and a half million pounds for the scheme and I’m confident that the Department for Transport will release the rest of the funding in the near future."

Councillor Alan Taylor, Leader of Rochdale Council, said: "I hope the start of work at this site shows that this council is committed to working alongside transport bosses to provide a state of the art transport interchange.

"This is an exciting time for our borough and this interchange is an integral part of our commitment to regenerate our town centre."

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency, added: "The start of work on the site for the new bus station is great news, especially as we will shortly be looking to select a private sector development partner for our exciting redevelopment plans for the town centre."

The North West Regional Assembly has identified the construction of the £11.5 million interchange as being a priority for the region and has included it in its ten year programme of work. It has recommended the programme to the Department for Transport for funding.

Rochdale Development Agency has already secured £1.5 million for the new facility from the Single Regeneration Budget. The fund was set up by the government in 2001 to support regeneration initiatives across England.

GMPTA submitted a bid to the Department for Transport last month for the remaining £10 million for the scheme. It hopes the bid for funding will be approved in the next few months given the major economic benefits Rochdale Transport Interchange is expected to bring to the town.