Andy Burnham reconfirms commitment to Stockport Metrolink extension

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has revealed that an update on plans to extend the Metrolink tram network into Stockport could be expected before the end of the year.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester yesterday (26th October), the Mayor said he remained committed to bringing trams into Stockport town centre, something he first announced in 2019 alongside the launch of the Stockport Mayoral Development Company. He revealed that precise plans to expand the Metrolink, both to Stockport, and to Middleton and Heywood through the Atom Valley development area in the North of the city-region, would be published later this year.

Andy Burnham also shared that the cancellation of HS2 had led to the city-region receiving additional funding for local transport, which would enable additional capital expenditure on transport infrastructure.

Extending Greater Manchester’s tram network into Stockport has been a long-held ambition locally. Designs for the new transport interchange, currently under construction (pictured) on the site of the former bus station, include capability for a tram stop. Network Rail has also revealed earlier this month that planned replacements for two railway bridges in the town centre will be future proofed to make space for an additional tram-train track to pass beneath.

The tram extension to Stockport is expected to run from the current East Didsbury terminus into Heaton Mersey, before crossing the Mersey river, and passing into the town centre via Edgeley. While the train will remain the quickest public transport option for reaching Manchester city centre, bringing Stockport onto the Metrolink network will improve access for borough residents to other key employment centres in the city-region, such as Trafford Park and MediaCityUK.