Construction of new council building underway

Construction has started in Rochdale town centre. Richard McAlpine, Councillor Greg Couzens, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Councillor Irene Davidson and Council Leader Colin Lambert

Construction of the new customer service centre, library and council offices in Rochdale town centre is underway.

Over recent months the Smith Street site has been prepared and now the foundations are to be laid for the building.

The ground floor will be home to the new library and customer service centre, with access to a café and outdoor walkway and seating along the river.

Councillor Peter Williams, Rochdale Borough Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Economic Regeneration, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access the council and this purpose-built centre and library will create a great, welcoming environment for residents.”

“As well as a modernised customer service area, the library will provide an inspirational environment for learning. Residents will be able to take books to go and read in the café if they wish. On the ground floor there’ll be space for young people and a children’s library where we can help our communities to develop skills like reading that will equip them well for the rest of their lives.”

The building, being constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine, will be completed next year. It will bring together around 2,000 council staff from more than 30 buildings, saving over £28m in ongoing maintenance costs.

It will meet high energy saving standards with features including solar thermal panels using the sun’s rays to generate hot water and photovoltaic panels creating renewable electricity.

Plus wood chip will be burnt in a biomass boiler to generate sustainable heat and rainwater will be collected from the roof and recycled for the flushing of toilets.

The new building is at the heart of plans to regenerate the town centre and will help transform the Smith Street area.

Once it opens in early 2013 it will mean the current Municipal Offices and other council buildings in the area as well as the bus station can be demolished. It will be on the opposite side of the river to the proposed transport interchange and customers will be able to take the Metrolink tram close to the Smith Street area of the building.

Richard McAlpine, Board Director of Sir Robert McAlpine said: “We are delighted to have been able to agree a contract for the design and construction of the new building within the council’s budget. We are looking forward to progressing the works on site and delivering a superb facility for the residents of Rochdale who will benefit from the high quality services it will provide.”