Plans to transform the area around Rochdale railway station have taken a major step forward, with the council’s cabinet giving the green light for technical detailed design work to get underway.
Proposals to regenerate the area, a key gateway into the borough, involve creating a new public square with planting and benches in front of the station entrance.
The wider scheme also proposes new homes and business space, alongside a 500-space park and ride facility on Miall Street.
The work is part of wider work to bring brownfield sites around transport hubs back into use
The council secured planning permission to progress the scheme in July last year and it is a key part of the borough’s wider rail strategy, which seeks to develop brownfield land around Rochdale’s 5 railway stations, with new homes, businesses and improved public realm and transport connections.
Since the proposals were first approved, small changes have been made to the plans, following feedback from local residents and councillors, to retain access for the 471 bus route to the north of the railway station through Tweedale Street and Milkstone centre.
In addition, the council recently secured £1 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s brownfield land fund to create new apartments and retail units in a council owned corner plot at 29–41 Maclure Road.
Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said:
“These plans will transform a major gateway into the borough, which is an important arrival point for thousands of our residents and visitors each day. As well as improving this important and vibrant neighbourhood, these changes will also better connect it to the newly regenerated Rochdale town centre, which is just a short walk away.
“This project will play a major role in our wider plans to make the best use of our brownfield land, particularly around major transport hubs, to create high quality public spaces, much needed housing and business space.”
Greater Manchester-based contractors, George Cox and Sons, will be appointed through a local procurement framework to help inform and advise on detailed design work, which will now get underway, ahead of the proposed start on site in September this year.
In the longer term, the council is working with Network Rail with a view to creating a new station frontage and a platform park at Rochdale railway station.
The changes will maintain full vehicular access through the majority of the area, including Milkstone Road. Existing access to key community facilities in the area, including the Nye Bevan Centre, Curtain Theatre and St John the Baptist Church, will also stay in place.