A Masterplan has been launched by Stockport Council to regenerate the area around Stockport rail station in order to strengthen its connections as a transport hub for the town centre.
Sitting at a key position on the regional and national rail network Stockport Station has always been important both locally and for Greater Manchester, and welcomes over 3.5 million passengers a year. However, the station and facilities on offer do not reflect this.
Stockport Council wants to ensure the Station and the surrounding area achieves its full potential and commissioned a masterplan to develop its ambitions for the area.
Breathing new life into the Station and surrounding areas, the vision is to transform the Station into a modern facility that provides a welcoming environment for all passengers and visitors. With redeveloped concourses; better access to platforms via a new footbridge; direct links with car parks and improvements made to the existing subway the plans would create a Station Stockport could be proud of.
The masterplan also sets out how links between the rail station, Transport Interchange and the town centre will be improved for all, making it easier for passengers to access everything on offer locally.
The Station vision builds on work already taking place across Stockport through the Council’s Investing in Growth projects, such as the development of the neighbouring Stockport Exchange. It is predicted that improving the Station will act as a catalyst to continued growth in Stockport, with investment and businesses attracted to the town due to the town’s connectivity and workforce. Estimates predict that the redevelopment of the Station and the surrounding area could see between 1,800 and 2,000 new jobs created in Stockport.
Work on securing the funding to turn this vision into a reality will now begin.
Councillor Martin Candler, Executive Member for Supporting Place at Stockport Council said “Stockport deserves a Station it can be proud of, so I am pleased that we are able to launch our vision for this area. The masterplan builds on developments currently taking place and will see the area around the Station transformed creating over 1,800 new jobs for residents. I am excited about what the future holds for this area of our town.
