GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE HEADQUARTERS
As part of its re-location plan, to move to a new state of the art Headquarters at Newton Heath, project architects Aedas on behalf of GMP, had to consider the ever increasing problem of onsite parking. This has been achieved using a piece of land sandwiched between its new Headquarters, and the shortly to be completed Metro-link line to Ashton-U-Lyne.
The architectural aspirations in the design of the car-park have been to clad the external façade with a mixture of white acid-etched concrete panels, similar to those on the main building, and Eyetech expanded mesh, with both items being fixed back to a single storey concrete frame.
The twenty one bay structural frame, configured in a three bin car-parking bay scenario, is basically oblong on plan, with the exception of two cut back areas along one elevation where the structure abuts the new Metro-link line. The structure is fully enclosed with either per-cast concrete cladding panels or Eyetech mesh, and in certain areas of the car-park, security has been further increased using louvre screens directly behind the mesh.
The car-park contains a number of service rooms, including a room with stand-by generator. Access to the upper deck is via a concrete ramp, with access and egress being controlled by a traffic light system.
All components were manufactured in house, at the companies Reddish manufacturing facility, to meet just in time delivery dates, and reduce congestion on site. The car-park provides parking for approximately 450 vehicles.
© COPYRIGHT 2010. Registered Address: Kenwood Road, Reddish, Stockport,Cheshire, SK5 6PH. Company Registered No. 1434172
Directors: M.O'Donnell, P.A.McDaid, M.J.O'Donnell, E.O'Donnell