New police stations for £56m

Several Greater Manchester police stations are set to shut down and brush up as part of a £56m building refurbishment project. Included in the mass makeover is, Bootle Street, Newton Heath, Grey Mare and Collyhurst police stations.

The old-fashioned Bootle Street, Newton Heath and Grey Mare Lane police stations could even be demolished as according to Greater Manchester Police Authority, they ‘no longer support the needs of a 21st Century police force’. A new divisional headquarters will be built at Central Park, Newton Heath. This will include 30 cells to replace those lost at the Collyhurst site and those earmarked for demolition.

Custody facilities for use by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) hub will also be located at Central Park. Eight of the 12 cells planned for the unit will be funded by the Government’s Office of Security and Counter Terrorism at a cost of almost £5m. GMPA will provide funding for the remaining four cells and all the other elements of the reorganisation of North Manchester Division project at a total of £51m.

GMPA chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: “This deal has significant regeneration benefits for north east Manchester. It will also ensure North Manchester people have visible, easy to access police services and GMP employees have fit-for-purpose facilities. In short, better police services for the benefit of everyone.”

In addition, Collyhurst Police Station is to be refurbished, a new city centre policing post will be created and accommodation will be provided for a Neighbourhood Policing Team at Bradford Park.

GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy added: “This investment is critical if we are to successfully meet the policing demands which are becoming more and more evident as the shape of the city centre changes and redevelopment takes place across the division. “

Final approval of the plans is expected soon. Building work to create the new HQ is then expected to start this February with completion marked for September 2011. The refurbishment of Collyhurst Police Station will then begin in November 2011 for completion within 12 months.