New public square around Greater Manchester train station will become a reality

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A new public square in Rochdale has been given the go-ahead. The Station Square project will transform the area leading to the town centre's train station.

The council forged ahead with the ambitious plans despite losing out on £20m in ‘Levelling Up’ cash earlier this year. The town hall submitted a planning application for the multi-million pound scheme.

The area is a key gateway into the borough. Street art, better signage, enhanced lighting and improved walking and cycling routes are part of the plan. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features The current taxi rank will be moved to 'reconnect' the station to shops and businesses in the centre. “The proposed scheme presents a major regeneration opportunity for the area, comprising an improved public realm that will provide a new entrance to Rochdale,” a planning statement read. “The public realm, located to the north of the railway station, will provide a civic space for local communities. “The investment in this area will act as a catalyst for further investment into Rochdale, and support wider regeneration initiatives in the town and the Borough.

The scheme has been designed with two distinct character typologies; streets and square.” The approved proposals are part of a wider rail strategy, which aims to regenerate brownfield areas around the borough’s five railway stations - building 7,000 new homes and a million sq m of new employment space.