Media centre

Friday 15 Jun 2007

MANCHESTER MASTER PLAN ON TRACK

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Major improvements for passengers at Manchester Victoria came a step closer today as Network Rail announced the preferred bidder for work to upgrade the station. Amec Developments Ltd & Morley Fund Management have been selected by Network Rail to prepare detailed designs as part of a master plan to upgrade the station and surrounding area. The final development will follow a full consultation with local stakeholders and the travelling public and form part of a master plan to regenerate the area. It is expected to cover around 800,000 sq feet, incorporating a mixture of office space, retail and housing. Network Rail will secure major improvements to the city's second largest rail station, including essential work to upgrade the station roof and refurbishment of the concourse area. Passengers can expect to benefit from improvements to the station in the early stages of development. Network Rail has been working closely with Manchester City Council and the local passenger transport executive so that development at the station also supports wider transport links, and the regeneration of this important part of the city. Mick Martin, Director of Commercial Property for Network Rail commented: "We are working hard to develop world class stations for passengers and local communities. We have selected Amec Developments to help us transform Manchester Victoria, as they offer the right skills and desire to work on this challenging project. Network Rail will continue to create opportunities for developers to work with us on similar commercial deals to maximise benefits with minimal impact on the tax or fare-paying public." Mike Horner, Regional Director at AMEC added, "We are delighted to have been selected by Network Rail as their preferred bidder for the redevelopment of Manchester Victoria. The station and surrounding land represents one of the best development opportunities remaining in Manchester city centre, being a major transport hub with integrated rail and Metrolink services and yet just a stone's throw from the prime retail and leisure areas of the city. "We envisage a hugely improved station environment for passengers alongside a high profile urban landmark scheme comprising exciting public realm and new city buildings of the highest architectural quality. We now look forward to working with Network Rail and the City Council to bring about transformational change at this important gateway site." Heidi Mottram, Managing Director of Northern Rail said: "We welcome this exciting news for Victoria station and Northern Rail's passengers, and look forward to continuing to improve rail services in the North by working closely with Network Rail and other key partners as the transformation of Victoria moves forward." Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, added: "We positively welcome today's announcement and look forward to working with the preferred developer and Network Rail. We have the opportunity to create something very special in a part of the city centre which is starting to transform itself."