Moves to transform the area around Rochdale train station are on track, with plans being developed to create thousands of new homes as part of a major regeneration of the site.
Work’s already underway on the project, which aims to transform brownfield sites around key transport hubs and bring forward thousands of new homes. Feasibility studies and masterplanning are already being carried out and firm proposals are set to be unveiled in early 2020.
The work’s being delivered by the council in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Station Alliance, a new partnership between Network Rail, Northern Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester, LCR and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The Alliance is working in partnership with local councils to spearhead regeneration opportunities around rail stations. Rochdale will be the first Greater Manchester borough to benefit from the new partnership, with plans for Castleton set to be unveiled soon.
In Rochdale, plans are underway to bring forward 1,000 new homes at key sites around the station, including Central Retail Park, the canal corridor and other areas along Drake Street, which is being regenerated through the Heritage Action Zone project.
The project will take place alongside work to transform the nearby Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum in Maclure Road, which is due to reopen next summer after a lottery funded renovation.
The proposals also complement recent improvements for rail passengers in the borough, including better signalling on the Calder Valley line, the construction of an additional platform at Rochdale station, and an increase in the number of trains per hour from Rochdale to Manchester from 4 to 6.
Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The redevelopment of brownfield sites around major transport hubs is a key part of our regeneration strategy because people want to be close to key amenities and facilities.
“Rochdale station gateway is a prime location for housing because recent improvements to the North West rail network make the area around stations an increasingly attractive option for people looking for a home. The completion of the Ordsall Chord railway line also connects Rochdale commuters to places like London, via the national rail network, and raises the prospect of a direct rail link between Rochdale and Manchester Airport for the first time.
“The formation of this partnership will enable us to accelerate these plans and we’ll be bringing firm proposals forward next year.”
