Stockport residents and businesses urged to have their say on future transport plans

People and businesses in Stockport are being encouraged to have their say on major plans that will shape the future of transport across Greater Manchester through to 2050 before a public consultation closes on Sunday 9 March.

The Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2050 and the Delivery Plan (2027–2037) sets out long-term proposals for improving buses, trams, trains, roads, walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the growing Bee Network. A consultation launched in December on the proposals, which include:

• Improving transport connections to new developments and housing and key growth locations across GM, including such as Stockport town centre and Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone.
• Keeping the network safe and reliable by renewing and maintaining key infrastructure.
• Making travel easier with better performance, more resilient services, and simpler ticketing.
• Bringing rail into the Bee Network to create seamless journeys across Greater Manchester.
• Building a world-class walking, wheeling and cycling network that better connects with public transport.
• Upgrading streets and public spaces to support local communities by making them safer, more attractive, and better for walking, wheeling and spending time in.
• Expanding cycle hire and loan schemes to enable even more people to travel actively.
• Improving bus services, with faster journey times and priority measures.
• Creating new stations, including at Cheadle, stops, interchanges and travel hubs to improve access and comfort.
• Developing new Metrolink and tram/train lines to connect more places, including links to Stockport and Middleton, and make faster journeys possible.
• Improving regional connections through the Greater Manchester’s future vision for rail, including Northern Powerhouse Rail, which will serve Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly stations.
• Exploring options for a future metro and underground network to boost capacity and connectivity.

People who live, work, study or travel in Greater Manchester are encouraged to find out more about planned schemes and share their views on what matters most to them – from safer, more reliable and affordable public transport, to better connections between neighbourhoods, town centres, jobs, education and healthcare.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:

“We have ambitious proposals to further improve transport in every part of Greater Manchester. Better transport will enable sustainable economic growth, provide access to homes, jobs and education and create greater opportunity for all. We want to hear what people and businesses across Greater Manchester think about these plans.

“While we’ve delivered significant improvements through the Bee Network – which is bringing together buses, Metrolink trams, local trains and active travel together into one integrated network – we know there is still a huge amount to do.   

“Your opinion really matters. With the consultation on the plans now entering its final weeks please share your views with us and help shape the future of transport in Greater Manchester and beyond.”

The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 9th March 2026 and comments can be shared via the GM Consult website, where the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2050 and the Delivery Plan (2027–2037) are published in full.