Local rail campaign group respond to recent railway station plans

Local rail campaign group STORM (Support the Oldham and Rochdale Manchester rail line) has cast some doubts on a proposal to transform Rochdale’s local railway station site.

A proposal to transform Rochdale’s local railway station site has been recently announced, which includes the building of 1,000 new homes at key sites around the station.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/131023/major-transformation-planned-for-rochdale-railway-station-site

The chairman of STORM, Richard Greenwood, has responded to the plans, stating that: “It is early days, but plans are being made for the comprehensive redevelopment around Rochdale Railway station.

“There has been mention of a piazza or open pedestrianised square in front of the station. This kind of thing is beloved by architects and planners but in reality, highly criticised by those who have to use it.”

These plans are set in place by the Greater Manchester Station Alliance, which is working in collaboration with local councils to bring forth regeneration plans around the area’s rail stations.

The construction work could also include new road layouts and the removal of traffic from the front of the station to create a new public square, improved pedestrian and cycle links between the station and town centre and physical improvements and new facilities to improve the passenger experience in the station.

Mr Greenwood said: “They must remember that the climate in Rochdale is not suited to such a large open area where of necessity people have to walk. Every year on average, precipitation (rain, snow or hail) falls in Rochdale on more than half the days. People walking to the station would prefer to remain as dry as possible, not having to spend four or five minutes in the rain.

“Open piazzas can become playgrounds for skateboarders, scooters, and mountain bikes.”

He also expressed concerns on the removal of traffic from in front of the station: “There is ambiguity as to what this means. Surely not buses. The immediate proximity of the 471 bus stops virtually outside the station door is one of the present benefits as befits a transport interchange.

“Rather than move the buses away even by a short distance, the intention should be to have more bus routes calling there.

“Adequate short time car parking is essential as close to the station entrance as is feasible for cars meeting passengers off the trains. Not to mention calling at the station to book or collect rail tickets.

“The present taxi rank is well-sited, but a waiting shelter should be incorporated in the plan.”

He added: “The opinions of the public need to be taken into account at the earliest part of the planning stage.”

Rochdale is the first Greater Manchester borough that will benefit from the Alliance. Plans for Castleton station are also in the works with details to be unveiled soon.

The work takes place in conjunction with the recent improvements to the rail service, including an increase in the number of train services travelling from Rochdale to Manchester from four per hour to six.

Responding to STORM's concerns, Mark Robinson, Assistant Director of Economy at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This ambitious masterplan aims to transform brownfield land around the train station to significantly improve this gateway into the town centre, as well as local facilities, which is used by many thousands of residents and visitors each week.

“Alongside new homes and a new Fire Service Museum, we are proposing the creation of significant additional car parking and fantastic new public realm to make this area, which is currently very busy with traffic, much more accessible and pedestrian/cycle friendly.

“All these ideas are currently draft proposals and they will be subject to a public consultation in the new year.”