New bridge at Metrolink stop first stage in £80M redevelopment of ‘out of date’ transport interchange

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 14:44

By Chris Gee

A new footbridge at Bury Metrolink will mark the first step in plans create a new £80m transport interchange in Bury town centre.

The new Metrolink access and platform improvements will go before the council’s planning committee on Tuesday, July 22.

The applicant, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the scheme forms part of a wider plan with the second phase being to demolish the existing 45-year-old bus and tram interchange and build a new modern facility.

That will be subject to a separate planning application in due course. The footbridge will be built over the Metrolink line to allow access from Union Square, off Knowsley Street and Pyramid Park.

Improvements will also be made to the existing platforms and canopies.
The new bridge would allow continued access to the trams when the anticipated demolition of the current interchange and building of the new one happens.

A report to be put before members of the planning committee, said: “The Metrolink currently experiences poor connectivity and particularly from the south of the town.”The construction of the access bridge would provide an alternative access with a new pedestrian route from Union Square to the west and Pyramid Park to the east.

“The new access would also enable the Metrolink to continue its operations while works are carried out to the second phase of development which would comprise the redevelopment of the bus interchange which is a key strategic aim of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).”

Earlier this year Bury council gave its reasons as to why the town needed new bus and tram facilities in planning documents.

It said : “Bury Interchange opened in 1980, but many elements have now reached and surpassed their intended lifespan.

“There are several issues with the current interchange in relation to its layout, access and circulation, functionality, capacity and building fabric. “Bury is the only district centre interchange in Greater Manchester yet to be redeveloped to modern standards.

“Noting the recent success of other interchange schemes across the region, the redevelopment of Bury Interchange is seen as the next step in the continued transformation of Greater Manchester’s interchanges to deliver a transport network fit for the 21st Century.

“It is therefore essential to transform the passenger experience.”