£2.5 billion funding boost to enable Stockport tram extension and Bee Network rail plans

Government has announced £2.5 billion in funding for Greater Manchester to further develop its public transport network, with a tram extension into Stockport town centre among the projects set to be supported.

Government ministers will formally announce the investment in Rochdale on the morning of 4th June, alongside other Transport for the City Regions funding settlements for other UK cities. Greater Manchester’s £2.5 billion tranche of funding will support the next phase of Bee Network expansion, bringing most local rail services under local control by the end of the decade, extension of the Metrolink tram network, and further investment in electric buses.

In Stockport, funding will support the long-awaited extension of the East Didsbury line of the Metrolink into the town centre’s transport interchange and support the ongoing delivery of new homes. While a full route is set to be confirmed, both Stockport Interchange and the new Greek Street Bridge, which Network Rail is set to complete next year, have both been designed to support a future Metrolink line. Tram connections will enhance connectivity between Stockport and employment centres west of Manchester city centre such as MediaCityUK and Trafford Park, complementing the existing regular rail and bus services into Manchester City Centre.

The town is also set to be among the first areas to benefit from integration of local rail services into the Bee Network, with services to Marple anticipated to come under local control by the end of 2026, and routes to Alderley Edge, Manchester Airport, and Buxton via Hazel Grove following in 2027.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, funding will support tram-train services to run between Bury, Rochdale and Oldham via Heywood, while new stops will be built on existing lines in North Manchester and Oldham to support delivery of new homes. Funding will also support delivery of an all-electric public transport network, including achieving a 100% electric Bee Network bus fleet.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said that further progress on the next phase of the Bee Network will now be delivered at an unrelenting pace. He said:

“This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come. Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030.

“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel.

 “Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.

“It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.”

Local leaders in Stockport have reacted positively to the news of funding for the Stockport tram extension.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted that the government has backed funding to bring Metrolink to Stockport — this is a huge moment for our borough and for Greater Manchester. 

“Stockport is the fastest-growing town in Greater Manchester, and today’s decision sends a powerful signal that investment is following ambition. We’ve already delivered the award-winning, Metrolink-ready Stockport Interchange and the UK’s largest town centre regeneration — now, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get on site to deliver Metrolink. 

“And this isn’t just a win for Stockport. It’s a major step towards delivering the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system across the whole of Greater Manchester — and Stockport is proud to be right at the heart of it.”

Cllr Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services, said:

“We’ve got a strong track record of working with Transport for Greater Manchester, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, our business community and national partners to turn big ideas into real results — and this one’s no different.  

“Next Stop Stockport will be transformational for Stockport’s economy and our communities, but also for Greater Manchester’s communities too.  

“This investment is significant to scale up our success and sends a clear signal that Stockport’s time is now.”

The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city-region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects. Local leaders feel strongly that transport investment will be fundamental to sustaining the city-region’s rate of economic growth, which has outstripped the UK’s average in the past decade. As part of next week’s Spending Review, it is also hoped the Government will back transformational schemes that stretch beyond the city-region’s boundaries, including the new proposed Liverpool-Manchester Railway.