On the right track: new Rochdale link road boosts train station access

Posted by on 1 Jun 2018

Rochdale’s excellent transport links have moved up a gear, with the opening of a new link road to connect Oldham Road and Rochdale railway station.

The £300,000 Lincoln Street link , which was funded by the GMCA, means easier access to the borough’s major railway station and car park from the south, and will reduce traffic congestion around Drake Street and the main station entrance.

It also makes land in the immediate area more accessible and attractive to investors. The council is already planning to create some new industrial units close to the site, as part of their commitment to create 40 new industrial units to meet the growing demand for business space. A planning application for new housing development on the brownfield land, which is owned by the council, is also expected to be submitted in the next few weeks.

The link road is one of many improvements which are planned for the railway station, following the addition of a third platform last year to boost the number of trains from Rochdale to Manchester from four to six an hour.

The council is working with Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) on designs for a new station entrance and is looking at increasing capacity at the free rail users’ car park in Miall Street, which currently has 217 spaces.

Rochdale is also now connected directly to Manchester’s Oxford Road, following the recent opening of the Ordsall Chord which links Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly. Once new timetables are released later this year, Rochdale will have a new hourly express rail service to Manchester Airport via Piccadilly.

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “With three motorway junctions, six Metrolink stops and five railway stations in the borough, we’re really well connected, which is great news for our businesses and residents.

“This link road will improve our already fantastic transport links and its completion is an important part of the council’s regeneration plans for the wider station area. The link road will be a catalyst for even more investment in this important gateway.”