Bury Interchange – home to the Metrolink terminus of the Bury line as well as the town’s bus station – could be set for a major upgrade after £2.6 million of funding was released to progress plans for its redevelopment.
The Metrolink station is currently a rather uninviting environment to wait for a tram but if these plans go ahead it could see the platform area refurbished whilst also creating additional capacity and the installation of a new shelter. New access at the southern end could also be provided – including step free access.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “This will be a very big symbol of the Bee Network as we integrate the tram and the older Bury bus station. I think the integration of tram and bus in Bury could be very attractive with regards to a wider regeneration of the town like we have done in Stockport.”
Estimates for the cost of the redevelopment were previously set at £81 million with the bulk of funding expected to come from the City Region Strategic Transport Settlement. At a recent Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting £2.6 million was released to progress the plans.
Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, from Bury Council who sits on the GMCA, said: “The interchange is in need of quite a radical overhaul and it’s not just an interchange project. This isn’t just about having a shiny new building for buses to pull into this is part of a much wider improvement of the town centre, making it fit for the future, making it fit for an integrated transport network of the future which we will deliver in Greater Manchester. It’s really important to expand our capacity for tram and train going over to Rochdale, unlocking enormous potential alongside the northern gateway so on some really big ambitions for Greater Manchester this can be a symbol for us, so I do welcome this as very positive progress.”