Stockport's new travel interchange programme hit an important milestone on Tuesday (23 May) as the main framework of the accompanying block of 196 flats was completed.

The interchange and this adjacent 14-storey building are part of a £1 billion regeneration project in Stockport. Both are being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, in conjunction with contractor Willmott Dixon. 

Local leaders and key stakeholders took part in a 'topping out' ceremony on the day. Attendees included: Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham; Stockport Council leader, Cllr Mark Hunter; managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, Antony Dillon; and managing director and founder of CityHeart, Mark McNamee.

The apartments will offer good transport links to Manchester and London, being close as they are to the new interchange and the rail station.

The town centre is just a short walk away, and there will be ground floor retail space on-site also. 

According to the Stockport Council website: "All 196 apartments, comprising of 126 two-bed and 70 one-bed properties, will be available to rent once completed. Residents will also have access to a shared garden area."

Plans for how the interchange and accompanying block of flats will look, as seen on a panel near Stockport train station (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Andy Burnham said: "The regeneration of Stockport town centre is really gathering pace and I've been impressed with the residential offering so far.

"The development will provide the area with much-needed homes for rent in the heart of the town with fantastic transport connections to Manchester city and the capital.

"I was delighted to take part in the signing along with partners to celebrate this milestone."

Cllr Mark Hunter said: "The Transport Interchange is a pivotal part of the £1 billion transformation of Stockport Town Centre and we are delighted to carry out this ceremony with our partners.

"Over the past 18 months we have seen an incredible amount of progress take place on site, which is such an important project for our town.

"It is more than just a transport hub - it is a clear statement about the future of our town centre and our borough as a whole."

Due to reach completion in Spring 2024, Stockport Interchange is part of the Town Centre West regeneration district, a 130-acre site, being driven forward by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.  

The project as a whole will see 4,000 new homes, leisure space, workspace and amenities delivered alongside these major transport and infrastructure improvements.

Once complete, the interchange will form part of the Bee Network – the vision for a fully-integrated London-style transport network in Greater Manchester.

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, said: "We're proud to say that, as well as transforming the skyline of Stockport, the interchange and residential development really is changing lives and creating opportunities for local people.

"To date, alongside TfGM and Stockport Council, we have created more than 100 new jobs, delivered more than 295 weeks of apprenticeship and training weeks, as well as employment opportunities for local people facing barriers to work through our dedicated Building Lives Academy programme."

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