STOCKPORT EXCHANGE NEW MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK OPENS

A new multi-storey car park (MSCP) is opening at Stockport Exchange, as part of the £145 million redevelopment of the area by Muse Developments and Stockport Council. 

The Stockport Exchange MSCP is being run by National Car Parks (NCP) and provides 1,000 spaces immediately adjacent to the mainline train station. It will open to the public on Wednesday 19 February. Its completion will be an integral part of the Stockport Exchange development, providing much enhanced parking facilities for rail commuters and cyclists and supporting the new commercial business district which is to be developed as part of the scheme.

With more than double the spaces now available for the public, the car park has been designed for ease and safety. With staff on site 24:7, there are also 21 dedicated stairwell help points all linked to the NCP customer contact centre. There are three new pay on foot machines, as well as the opportunity to pay on exit to avoid queuing at peak times. Pre-book is also available where customers can guarantee themselves a space, allowing automatic entry and exit via number plate recognition.

The new crisp and clean LED lighting throughout will cut down on energy consumption and light pollution. There are also five electric car charge points and a dedicated cycle hub with space for 50 cycles, entry cards, changing rooms and lockers for cyclists.

Muse Developments joint managing director Matt Crompton was joined by Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council and Duncan Bowins, managing director of NCP to look around the new facilities.

Matt Crompton commented: “The opening of the MSCP is a terrific milestone in the transformation of this important project. It will provide essential parking provisions for the millions of rail commuters that pass through Stockport each year and will play a key role in the forthcoming Stockport Exchange office, hotel and retail development.” 

Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “The completion of phase one is great achievement and I’m extremely proud of the progress made on this landmark development so far. We are extremely grateful to the Department of Transport who are providing £5.0m towards the cost of the car park. Stockport Exchange is a key part of the Council’s Investing in Stockport programme which will boost the economy, create jobs and regenerate the borough. The Council is determined to see the good work continuing and has committed funding to enable phase two to be on site this year.”

Duncan Bowins, MD of NCP, added: “We’re delighted to open this car park to the public. We have made sure that it is designed with the customer’s needs as our priority. We know that effective lighting, easy to use payment facilities, and staff present on site 24:7, are all important for people parking with us. Our new cycle hub for over 50 cycles is also a great asset. We have a car park here that we can be very proud of.”

Martin Frobisher, area director for Network Rail, said: “We have worked closely with Stockport Council and developers Muse to help make this new car park possible. It provides much needed additional parking which will support the continued growth in passenger numbers in Stockport and will complement the proposed wider Stockport Exchange development.”

The next phase of development comprises a new c.50,000 sq ft Grade A office building, 115 bed hotel and a ‘gateway’ pedestrianised public square opposite the train station entrance.  A public consultation is currently underway with a view to a planning application being submitted by the end of this month.

The MSCP benefitted from £5m of funding from the Department for Transport Station Commercial Project Facility, following Stockport Council’s successful bid. An official opening event will take place later this year.

For more information visit www.stockportexchange.co.uk