STOCKPORT INTERCHANGE 2021-24 | Celebration & Criticism Then & Now + Drone

[@AidanEyewitness]

I'm interested to read your comments and can usually reply straight away during the first 48 hours after publication. After that it take slonger. ERROR ALERT - At the very beginning I said 'North West Road Car Company', it should be 'Northwestern'. Please be courteous when commenting. Any that don't confirm to community guidelines will have to be deleted. Having said that, I get very few bad comments and mostly excellent ones! Many thanks! Vielen Dank!

[@joesinderson8987]

Looks amazing! Hopefully the good folk of Stockport will treat it with respect and pride, and TfGM maintain it to a high standard.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Hopefully, but especially Viaduct Park and no vandalism like the smashed window I saw at Altrincham Interchange.

[@iamjoestafford]

Fantastich! Stockport was named the best place to live in the region by The Times over the weekend, and the new interchange is a vital part in the town's growing attractiveness - it has changed so much over the last decade. When the Metrolink does finally arrive, I imagine even more people will want to move there...I'm excited to see what the future holds, and to see how you chronicle those changes in your great videos. Vielen dank!

[@AidanEyewitness]

I absolutely agree 100% I am certain that the Metrolink line to Stockport will be built. Many thanks for using German, my 'other' language! Fantastisch, vielen Dank!

[@sihaves8808]

I've been impressed with the interchange and park on top. I really hope the park gets looked after properly. Thanks for this video.

[@albo2006]

We visited Stockport several years ago.Went to a show in the Stockport plaza, caught a football match @ Edgely Park. Hung around Manchester.Really enjoyed the town center. So much enjoyed your lovely community. Nice to see the beautiful improvement to the town. Your video was informative & very much appreciated.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your comments and sorry for the delay in replying. I'm glad you had a good time in Stockport. There is lots happening here and all of it positive!

[@JamieBurrows-lb2eb]

Great video mate was a pleasure to have you on board on Sunday and nice to meet u

[@AidanEyewitness]

Well I'm honoured to receive a message from the driver of my favourite bus route on Sunday. Your comments were great and really funny!

[@ians3586]

Congratulations on making it on the first bus! I love buildings when they are clean and new and the Interchange looks particularly good with its curves and large windows. What an amazing addition to your community. I wonder if the 20p charge for the toilets is an effort to prevent vandalism. Vielen Dank for giving us a peek.

[@AidanEyewitness]

It wasn’t difficult to be on the first bus as it runs outside our house and I’ve taken that one - at a quarter past four in the morning - many times to Manchester Airport for an early flight. It was great to see the new interchange in its pristine, unsullied state. Yes there is a similar 20p out-of-hours charge at Shudehill interchange.

[@ianmansbridge3646]

What a vast improvement. Looking forward to visiting Stockport very soon. Having been a regular shopper there in times past, it has now been several years since my last visit. Quite honestly I have became tired of the bother of parking a car and the congestion - that applies everywhere, much rather get on public transport, that is one of the big benefits of metropolitan living. Note the Stockport Garrick Theatre is close by you metropolitan types! Now I am anticipating the arrival of the Metro Tram. That will really pep things up as Stockport town centre will share the benefits of the linked in feel of everything from Didsbury via Chorlton to Media City with the prosperous city centre - all that entertainment choice, fantastic, can't wait.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Good to hear a positive appraisal. Public transport is improving, though a 199 bus crashed into the Garrick Theatre in the week. I eagerly await Metrolink. I have no doubt it’s going to arrive in Stockport.

[@bobbydazzler1209]

Great video. I was design lead on the project up to the late planning stage. Looking forward to going to see it at some point!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Oh wow, always good to hear from people involved with the project, many thanks for your comment :)

[@bobbydazzler1209]

@@AidanEyewitness thanks for the video. First time seeing it.

[@ians3586]

Really like the light effect on the railings around the oval. It's small details like this that make the difference between functional but bland and inviting and visually interesting. I hope they maintain all the features, such as the rooftop garden, that make the interchange a place that locals can be proud of.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes that lighting effect is really good, made possible by modern technology. When the rental apartment block above the park opens, that will bring more footfall to the park. Hopefully that will keep the scallies at bay!

[@kjs94010]

Great video Aidan! Really brings the Interchange to life and how interesting to see the before and after layout. Huge improvement for the travelling public and all aficionados of transportation. Thanks for including the photo-shopped deletion of that disastrous building blocking a view of the graceful arches of the viaduct. Are there any plans to demolish that building? If not, happy to sign a petition!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your comment. That block of flats bang in front of the viaduct will be blocking the view for many years to come. The council should have refused to approve it in this form. It's not finished yet. We'll see how people react when the exterior is complete and how residents at the back react to the early morning, diesel-hauled 30-truck train carrying organic waste from the recycling depot passing close to their bedroom window!

[@amandagribbin2638]

Great video, My Dad layed the flooring in the old bus station, all gone now

[@AidanEyewitness]

Great to hear about people who worked on projects. It's gone but I have recorded it in my video so people can see what was there before.

[@richieskingley3173]

Big projects are coming all the time to Greater Manchester..wonderful to see all the change! Thanks Aiden for your fantastic channel! What are your thoughts on the Holt Town Regeneration project for the 70 acre area near the Etihad stadium which came out recently!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks very much for the acknowledgement and recognition. I haven't looked at the plans in detail but an idea I have is a video on the footpath between the city centre and Sportcity, that runs through Holt Town. This was used during the Commonwealth Gamesa and I photographed it as it was then. Leave it with me!

[@radiator-gb7pk]

Another great update thanks Aiden. Good work using the correct term 'setts' and not 'cobbles'!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Zaha Hadid, a great architect, her practice continues her work and the buildings are fantastic. I suspect they are beyond Manchester's available budget.

[@jonbriann]

😂

[@vonLaughter]

This interchange is an example of good architecture! Nice to look at it, just in videos so far. Only the building in the middle of the viaduct spoils the pleasure. The others (an older one and the big one) also obscure the beautiful viaduct, but not so drastically. Besides the new big one, as a part of a wider interchange visual concept in my opinion defends itself. The smaller doesn't give much, taking a lot. Obviously I mean architecture - money is something else...

[@AidanEyewitness]

I definitely agree with you, I think the interchange is well designed and looks good. The tall wide building above the interchange is acceptable as it is not in any sightline, unlike the other one. :(

[@davidl1253]

I think it looks great. Lots of snagging to be done, for example some signage is being reprinted because none show stands P, Q and R. Stand S is a problem also as it is open to the elements. Question... are the toilets really free in the day? My friend went the other day and said she couldnt get in because she didn't have change.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks for the info. I was there on Monday afternoon and the toilets were definitely open. 🙂

[@davidl1253]

@@AidanEyewitness they were on Monday for the opening. Now closed.

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@davidl1253Thanks for the info. That’s not good. I’ll keep an eye on this

[@lukumanganiyu767]

This is fantastic ❤

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks!

[@christianwatson5373]

It doesn’t feel like two years since the old bus station was demolished

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, it seems the time has gone quickly, now the new interchange is open.

[@brianpoole4369]

hi aiden....any news on VIADUX 2?....planning permission for instance!

[@AidanEyewitness]

I’ve seen no reports about planning approval so far. I’ll ask the shoe shine man !😊

[@flyingfeline7110]

Standing in a windswept Piccadilly Gardens bus station, sunken tarmac, pot-hole filled puddles, faded road markings and exposed tiny bus-shelters, the new Stockport Interchange could almost be a de-lux all inclusive transport resort.

[@AidanEyewitness]

I passed through Piccadilly Gardens on the tram yesterday and was struck how inadequate the facilities are here right in the city centre. There used to be a covered concrete bus station - built in 1958 - but it was taken down prior to the opening of Metrolink in 1992. I was thinking it would be nice to simply have a glass-roofed canopy covering the tram stop and the bus stops. Thank goodness for the new Stockport Interchange!

[@Paul-eb4jp]

I went down there today it really is nice especially the roof top, apparently there was a problem with youths cycling up and down the ramps but reports have been exaggerated and they were moved on quickly, that ramp was always likely to attract kids on bikes and skateboards.

[@AidanEyewitness]

The ramp is not open yet. I saw kids on mountain bikes cycling *inside* the interchange. The staff didn’t seem to be stopping them. Yes the park is fantastic and I like the historical information boards.

[@Paul-eb4jp]

@@AidanEyewitness Fair enough you were there, our bus driver said it was blown out of proportion.

[@tommcmanamon8327]

Fingers crossed Andy Burnham keeps his promise to bring the tram to Stockport.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Well, it's not solely up to him, he has to pull everything together, find the finance, keep things moving but I think he will be successful - fingers crossed!

[@tommcmanamon8327]

Definitely fingers crossed. I totally agree he has to build a business case. Stockport however has over 300,000 in its borough and not one tram stop. I hope Andy is not biased towards the North Manchester , if it is a one or the other decision, for the metro extensions.

[@masudurrahman700]

Great video. I went there too

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your positive feedback, much appreciated!

[@DanielHarrison-bd4ss]

Great video!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks very much for your comment, I appreciate your positive words.

[@michellejemison1721]

The 384 also goes to Bredbury 🙃

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many apologies for forgetting Bredbury!

[@mellowasahorse]

Brilliant :)

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks for your comment.

[@JamesGoesOutside]

Do you know where exactly any tram stops might get put? If the Metrolink ever expands to Stockport that is.

[@theblah12]

The hope is that there will be a tram stop at the viaduct end of the building, where space has been left aside for it.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Very good question, as no one has said exactly where the space is that they have left. Well, it can't be on the north side next to the spiral ramp and cycle way, it can't be the south side as that's the service entrance for the apartments and a long way from the entrance. It can only be on Swaine Street on the west side, facing the viaduct, outside the west entrance. There is a covered waiting area there and bus stops. That's where the trams will terminate.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, that's right. I am certain Metrolink will be extended to Stockport.

[@theblah12]

@@AidanEyewitness I think the bridge on Astley St over the river was actually built to support the weight of trams.

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@theblah12 Thanks! That’s very interesting. I’m intrigued to find out the proposed route options.

[@JohnnyZenith]

Another wonderful video. Unfortunately without HS2, Leeds and Manchester will never achieve proper rail capacity and function. The Tories appall me. I do love your videos.

[@paulwild3676]

They suffer from regional racism.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks, you're absolutely right and thanks for your positive feedback.

[@JohnnyZenith]

@@paulwild3676 Not a bad description that. Regional prejudice is perhaps better.

[@LucyBrownless]

Stockport answer to a youth club .Bus station that costs 20 p to have a wee and all the buses are out of the sink and river is Stinky bus don't connect. My bus is always late and frankly I think it pants.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks for your comment! Hope the authorities are keeping an eye on people’s feedback.

[@davdep]

Good video, but i can't help but think that those external concrete walls and pillars are not going to age well, give it one year and they will look awful, apart from that job well done.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Well that’s a question for the architects and structural engineers. I will be keeping a beady eye on it! Many thanks

[@bethanyc9733]

Is it safe i bet its not i wont be hanging around at night. Soon be a mess waste of money

[@AidanEyewitness]

There are staff on duty till late at night. I've been to the interchange late in the evening and it looks fine. I don't think the interchange is a waste of money at all.

[@georgeoldham-nb9ny]

After all the publicity & the enormous cost I was expecting much more. It's a massive disappointment to me. The gardens aren't up to much as all, why that part needs a cycle path beats me, unnecessary to say the least. The pedestrian & bus stop side is fine, needs shops and cafe to open though. The bus access side is terrible, acres of bare concrete which will be covered with graffitti before the year is out. And instead of being a drive through as old bus station was, buses have to reverse out, why? because it's badly designed. Built more with sale of the apartments in mind than facilities for the bus drivers, staff & public. A big opportunity to improve the centre of Stockport, and make it safer for the travelling public missed by a mile. Waste of money.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Thanks for your comment. Cycling connectivity is an integral part of local transport plans. I'm a cyclist and I'm very glad to see the new cycle lanes are there. I think it does improve the centre of Stockport and I can't see how it doesn't make it safer for the public. What would your alternative design be? Answer on the back of an envelope. Again many thanks for sharing your views, all opinions are welcome!