New investment for Police buildings announced by GMPA

Date published: 19 February 2010

A £56m project to improve police buildings in North Manchester has been legally signed and sealed.

Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) last month agreed a package of developments including a new divisional headquarters at Central Park, Newton Heath in North East Manchester.

All the legal documentation surrounding the deal has now been formally signed and developers Ask:Goodman are expected to start construction in March this year.

Cllr Paul Murphy, Chairman of GMPA, said: “I’m delighted we can now start making real progress and looking forward to this exciting development that will add to the modernising of the police estate in keeping with the Authority’s vision.”

Other elements of the programme now being driven forward include refurbishment of Collyhurst Police Station, the creation of a new city centre enquiry policing post and Neighbourhood Policing Team accommodation at Bradford Park.

In addition, a separate custody facility to hold 30 cells will also be built on the Central Park site. This will replace cells at Bootle Street Police Station, Collyhurst Police Station and Grey Mare Lane Police Station.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “The police buildings in North Manchester are not fit-for-purpose. They do not support modern day policing and investment is vital if we are to continue delivering an ever-improving police service.”

The new DHQ replaces Bootle Street Police Station which will close in 2013. The other closures in the scheme are Grey Mare Lane Police Station which is earmarked for closure in 2013 and Newton Heath Police Station which will be disposed of in November 2011.

GMPA has provided the bulk of the funding for the estates project – more than £51m. The Government contribution of almost £5m from the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism will provide a facility at Central Park for counter terrorism investigations.