PLANS UNDERWAY TO UNCOVER HIDDEN MEDIEVAL GEM Artist impressions show how Rochdale Town Centre will look once the River Roch has been uncovered. Manchester architects BDP have won the design competition to uncover the river and work on the £4.2m project – which will transform The Butts – is set to get under way later this year. The exciting pictures show how three sections of the river will be opened up, exposing a medieval bridge, which has been hidden from view for more than a century. Glass viewing platforms will jut out over the water and large areas of greenery will also be planted.
Rochdale council leader Colin Lambert said: “The transformation of the public realm on and around The Butts will enhance the river reopening which is an incredibly exciting project and a critical part of our regeneration plans.”
The council is putting around £2.5m into the project with the Environment Agency pledging another £540,000.
A second stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the remainder of the money has been submitted with the council expecting the results in the summer. Work is then expected to last about 30 weeks - meaning it could be finished by the end of the year.
The River Roch runs through a culvert in the heart of the town centre. The culvert is made up of 12 different phases, most of which are 20th century infill structures that join together earlier bridges.
Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This part of the town has a rich heritage with some of the finest buildings in the UK, including our fantastic town hall. The river and Rochdale Bridge have been hidden for over a century, in fact many people won’t even have realised that they exist. Re-opening the river here is another huge step in Rochdale’s regeneration.”
Once completed Rochdale will be the only town in Greater Manchester to benefit from an open river running through the heart of its town centre. River plants and foliage will be introduced to support natural ecological and biodiversity developments creating a perfect haven for wildlife and insects. The River Roch wildlife corridor support species such as the dipper, kingfisher, pipistrelle bats, water crowfoot and otters. Opening up the river has the potential to allow these animals and birds to be more frequently seen in the town centre. 6
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