New station entrance promises striking gateway into Rochdale

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 17:15

By David Murphy

A major upgrade is on the cards for Rochdale railway station, with new plans aiming to modernise the historic site and strengthen links to the town centre and surrounding developments.

Rochdale’s 196-year-old railway station could soon welcome a dramatic new entrance after a planning application was lodged to revamp the Station Road site.

Submitted by Rochdale Development Agency, the plans outline a complete redesign of the entrance area, featuring a striking 25-metre-long canopy, green roofing, new planters, seating, and bike racks. The canopy design, created by Seed Architects, draws inspiration from Rochdale’s industrial heritage, including wave motifs echoing spinning cotton fibres and support columns that mirror the ornate façade of Rochdale Town Hall.

The application is part of wider regeneration works in the immediate area, including improvements to the station underpass and the future creation of a new station square to serve as a gateway to the borough.

The proposed entrance upgrades will complement nearby projects, such as affordable housing planned for the former Central Retail Park on Maclure Road and a 33-apartment scheme at the junction with Station Road.

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “These proposals will create a real sense of arrival for the many thousands of visitors who travel through this station each and every year. It’s a major gateway in and out of the borough and these plans will ensure that its appearance reflects that, as well as introducing green features which will boost biodiversity.

“Even more importantly, these improvements are part of a much bigger plan to substantially improve this whole area with new, high-quality homes, including social homes, on brownfield sites and a new public square as part of our wider rail strategy to create new homes and commercial and leisure spaces around our key transport hubs.”

If approved, the scheme will play a supporting role in Rochdale’s wider transformation, as the borough looks to capitalise on its rail links, boost town centre living and improve first impressions for both residents and visitors arriving by train.

Rochdale station is one of several across the borough set to benefit from investment through Greater Manchester’s Bee Network rail plans, due to be rolled out from 2026 to 2030.**

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