Rochdale’s eleven and a half million pound transport interchange opened its doors to the public last weekend.
It replaces the town’s old bus station which was built in 1978 and is billed as Europe’s first transport interchange to have an integrated hydropower source, thanks to an innovative hydroelectric plant part-funded by the Ticket to Kyoto carbon reduction investment project.
A hydro-electric turbine has been installed which converts energy from the river as it flows rapidly through a weir. The weight of the water turns the screw-shaped turbine generating electricity.
The scheme is part of the wider £250m redevelopment of Rochdale town centre, which includes the construction of Number One Riverside, the new Metrolink line which is set to open next Spring and a £100m new retail and leisure development.
The opening of the interchange now paves the way for the demolition of the old council office, known as the black box, and the old bus station, which will make way for the proposed shopping and family leisure facility.The car park above the bus station will remain operational for the immediate future while the walkways into the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre, Marks & Spencer and Yorkshire Street will also stay open at least for the short term.
Pupils from three local schools have also created colourful prose-text artwork which will grace the glazed walls of the interchange.
