Leaders “optimistic” about transport interchange funding

An artists’ impression of the Smith Street Interchange

Leaders in Rochdale remain optimistic about securing £10 million of funding to build a new transport interchange.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) will continue to lobby the Coalition Government to win financial backing for the scheme.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced on Tuesday (26 October 2010) that the interchange would be part of a ‘Development Group’ of projects, which would be able to apply for money from a £600 million pot. The Interchange is one of 22 projects in the group which will now submit a final bid for funding to the Government.

In light of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, project leaders of these schemes have been asked to re-examine them in terms of value for money and the local funding being contributed.

Rochdale Borough Council Leader, Councillor Irene Davidson, said: “We remain very optimistic that the Coalition Government will see the value of the Interchange to the borough. We have already held positive discussions with the Transport Minister on the scheme, and presented a very strong case for the funding. The project is still very much viable and is a major part of our plans to improve the town.”

In March 2008 the DfT agreed in principle to the £10m funding, allowing GMPTE to carry out detailed design work. Planning consent was secured in December 2009 but the scheme was put on hold earlier this year ahead of the Coalition Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

A final decision on funding for the Development Group projects will be made before the end of next year.

The new Interchange, on Smith Street, will provide Rochdale with a first-class, modern transport facility, bringing buses, taxis and bikes together and providing a café, electronic passenger information displays and toilets.

Councillor Davidson added: “There is still plenty of good news coming out of our regeneration schemes. Metrolink will be arriving at the train station in 2012 and in the town centre in 2014. We also have a number of other schemes including the recent opening of the Sixth Form College, the clearance of the site ready for the construction of the new customer service centre, library and council offices and work starting on the new sports and leisure centre. All of these are on track and the regeneration of the town centre will continue. Although the decision on the Interchange will be delayed it can still be accommodated within the proposed timescales for the wider developments.”

The Interchange forms part of Rochdale’s wider £250 million town centre regeneration programme, with the current bus station due to be demolished as part of the retail and leisure development. The delay in the decision is not expected to have a major impact on the timescale for that development. If approved, work on the Interchange could begin in 2012.

“We remain confident that once the Government sees our final bid we will be able to move forward with the Transport Interchange,” said John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency.

“It is a sign of tough economic times and not the strength of the bid which has caused this delay. We believe that the delay will not have a major impact on the town centre regeneration plans. We will be working closely with our preferred developer, Genr8, to make sure that they can continue to move forward with their plans.”

Councillor Ian Macdonald, Chair of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: “We are pleased to learn that over £600m nationally will be available to fund further local transport projects and that the new Rochdale Interchange will be considered for this funding. We are confident that this priority project delivers excellent value for money and will boost regional growth and bring economic benefits to the region.”