River Street loading bays and taxi rank

River Street loading bays and a taxi rank

Work to create two new loading bays and a taxi rank close to the new transport interchange is set to start on Monday 7 July.

The bays will be located on Faulkner Street, near to its junction with Smith Street, and River Street, which runs between the new transport interchange and Drake Street.

The work will help businesses on the lower part of Drake Street and Smith Street who have not had properly designated loading bays up to now.

A new seven car taxi rank will also be created on the junction of River Street and Faulkner Street to serve the southern side of the town centre.

The rank will be located right next to the Transport Interchange and replaces the former Smith Street rank which was next to the old bus station and municipal offices.

During the work, which is set to be completed by the end of September, there will be access along River Street as far as the River Street/Lower Drake Street car park from Water Street. Drivers can continue to use this car park throughout the works.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Our town centre is changing fast so it’s important that we have highways amenities that are fit for purpose. These changes will help our Drake Street businesses and create fantastic transport facilities right next to our new transport interchange and town centre Metrolink stop.”