Rochdale progresses station gateway overhaul
A new public square that will greet people as they arrive in the town by train forms part of a wider regeneration of the borough’s railway stations.
Rochdale Council has submitted a planning application for the development, known as Station Square, which is aimed at improving the street scene around the train station.
“Station Square is a really important part of the borough and the first place many of our visitors see when they arrive,” said Cllr John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Rochdale Council.
“At the moment, it’s an underwhelming space, which does little to hint at the fantastic town centre and wider area which lies just beyond.”
He added: “By relocating traffic from directly in front of the station, we’ll create a really attractive space where people can relax and enjoy the area and businesses will benefit from the extra footfall and space. It will also better connect it to the town centre and enable people to get around more easily and sustainably.”
Broadway Malyan is the architect, and Nexus is the planning consultant. Faithful and Gould is cost manager.
The public realm project forms part of the Rochdale Rail Corridor Strategy, aimed at regenerating areas around the borough’s five train stations: Rochdale, Smithy Bridge, Castleton, Mills Hill, and Littleborough.
The opportunity around Rochdale station includes up to 1,700 homes, more than 40,000 sq ft of commercial space, and around 25,000 sq ft of retail.
Around 200 of those homes are earmarked for the former Central Retail Park site.
Overall, the council’s rail strategy could see the delivery of 7,000 homes and almost 11m sq ft of commercial development.
The redevelopment of Station Square is being led by Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of Rochdale Council.
If the planning application is approved, work on Station Square will begin later this year.
Broadway Malyan is leading on design. Credit: Rochdale Council
I feel there will be a lot of people saying Rochdale needs so much, and it really does and always has. So this money could be used more effectively elsewhere.
My thoughts on this is the station will be a good start and a gateway to our town..which we should be proud of.
Hopefully an entrance to Rochdale which is more than overdue and reflective of our pride.. is a good start.
If money is allocated to this town … please please can it be used wisely… get the market back.
By Zoe birchall
Love this, great to see the town get its act together.
By Rich X
What is needed is a proper interchange for bus rail and tram. Anything less will be pennywise and pound foolish.
By brett bostock
This is exactly what the station plaza needs, well done Broadway Malyan!
Rochdale can you take a look at how people will walk, cycle and wheel from this plaza to the Town Hall and esplanade shops?
At the moment signposts direct people to go via Church Lane, a very steep cobbled road which is not accessible or safe for many users.
By W
They would be better off spending the money better. Who wants too lounge around the train station in the freezing pouring rain. Although they could stroll down and look at the old navigation pub proper site seeing building.
By Anonymous
It needs to be better then this to get the right Kick for Rochdale. How about speak with local private company’s they will provide you with more inspiration then these big company’s who know very little about the area and dont really care what the locals want. I would like to see some real cool features in the square and some high rise buildings that will bring the hustle and bustle the the area.
By Jason
Yet again another hit for the motorists in an already struggling or should I say dying town
By Anonymous
How is disabled access/ parking being maintained to the health centre? What provisions have been made ?
By Loz
Great idea! And great design from BM!
By New mancunian
Money as been spent in and around this (town centre) area countless times over the years only for it to be turned into a dump/litter area. The people that live in these area’s have no respect for the place they live. The money would be better spent on disabled, mental health, vulnerable people will benefit from it.
By Rochdalian
The image would suggest that thereb would be no taxi pick up/drop off point directly outside the station and more importantly for me the 471 bus stops would be relocated.
The plan might be pedestrian and cyclist friendly but at what cost to those who rely on buses and taxis – inconvenience during and following completion of the work.
When I see how run down Drake Street and surrounding streets are I wonder who the hell comes up with these schemes and justifies the huge sums of money involved.
Too many shops, restaurants empty as it is and the rent and rates combined with interest rates and energy prices mean another white elephant.
By Geoff
“Another hit for motorists”
Nearly burst out laughing but the irony of this sentence is actually quite upsetting.
By Anonymous
Great idea my only concern is that this should be strengthened and lengthened to improve Drake St no point having a wonderful welcome and then derelict buildings before you hit the new centre. Also Rochdale is a market town and currently really has no market to speak of. We need a good around market attracting various sellers to something similar to Bury. Then bring coach parties to the town
By Anonymous
As if they are going to completely get rid of the bus stop and taxi drop off.
By Anonymous
Do not get rid of the taxi drop off point!!! It’s essential!
By Emily
I moved out the area years back and visited just recently I was shocked to see how awful it look with the market gone, the shopping centre further up boarded off, now a useless space and the lack of the old library which I loved as a child even the boardwalk was a lovely attraction originally that not many centres had. I can honestly say the money needs to be put to better use in the town centre because as soon as people walk into it they’ll walk back out. I won’t be returning again anytime soon.
By Anonymous
What a pity it does not integrate with a restored and regenerated canal basin.
By Anonymous
The council have killed the town off. They’ve created a ring road around the centre which just gets clogged up. Traffic lights everywhere. They’ve ensured the new council offices are directly at the side of the interchange & new shopping centre which is all very cozy for the council workers. Meanwhile, college and sixth form students have to trek across the town centre from the interchange /tram stop often getting soaked through in the process. Talk about lack of foresight.
By Big Doofer
Anything that gets people using Rochdale town centre and brings money to the area should be welcomed.
By Jawad A. Mahboob
Then you have to walk down Drake street, say no more
By Ean Wood
Having been in this area a number of times I fail to see where all theses improvements will make it more desirable. A number of businesses have shut because of a lack of footfall. There are other areas that need desperate improvements. One town comes to mind is Heywood the town centre is full of takeaways and hairdressers. There has been no improvement to the infrastructure for years ! I believe it’s within the borough of Rochdale so why ?
By Anonymous
About time !!!
By gregorysue08@gmail.com
Rochdale’s strategy of focusing on its rail corridor makes a lot of intuitive sense, it give more people in town access to higher paid work in Manchester, and sets Rochdale up to capture those who move out the city to start families or simply want a more affordable location with easy access to the city. That eventually brings a lot more spending power and skills into the town. You need that petrol in the tank to truly revive the town centre itself.
By Rich X
Rochdale will NEVER look like this!!!
By Pessimistic