If you go down to the woods today* …….or Wednesday in Stockport

So, yes, I know Jimmy Kennedy’s line on going down to the woods is a lyric too far for Stockport Interchange, but there are trees, and bushes as well as a roof top garden all slowing maturing after a year.

And it is a popular place, and not just with people catching buses.

When I was there this week there were people using it as a meeting place, with some just sitting outside taking in the sun and more than a few just pausing between arriving and moving off into the town centre.

And there was even a couple with a picnic, or to be very accurate, a flask, some sandwiches and two cream cakes.  Still not sure if the hamper was meant to be eaten at the end of the destination or a sort of elevenses between breakfast and dinner.

Or perhaps it was destined for the roof garden with the an afternoon taking in views of the trains crossing the viaduct.

Now over the years I have stood in a heap of bus stations, some more desolate than others, and a few quite threatening, none compare with Stockport’s which has been designed with flair, imagination and style.

It replaces the old one which did the biz for 40 years and has that advantage that you can keep dry while waiting and is light and welcoming.

And according to my wikipedia so pleased was everyone with the Interchange that the public  were allowed access weeks before the official completion in the Sping of  2024, and mighty happy they were.

I leave others to add detailed comments on the walking and cycling links, the rooftop park, the 18 bus stands with the capacity to accommodate 164 bus departures per hour, cycle storage facilities and the travel shop which I used to talk to a very helpful member of staff who confirmed that the railway station was closed.

But that is another story.

Location; Stockport Interchange

Pictures; buses people and architecture, 2025, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*If you go down in the woods today,

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down in the woods today,

You'd better go in disguise.

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic. Teddy Bears' Picnic, melody written 1907, John Walter Bratton, , lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy, 1932

**Stockport Interchange, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockport_Interchange