UK: Transport for Greater Manchester is working with Stockport Council to develop a business case to bring trams from East Didsbury to Stockport.
While this route would approach Stockport from the west, TfGM officials are also assessing how more use could be made of the railway running northeast out of the town towards Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge. This railway features two of the least used stations on the national network, at Denton and Reddish South. These receive one train per week, known colloquially as a ‘parliamentary’ service which was historically maintained to avoid the need for formal station closure proceedings.
Decade of growth ahead
On November 28, TfGM said it was already working with Stockport Council to develop a business case for a ‘core’ extension from the existing Metrolink stop at East Didsbury to Stockport town centre.
The authority is also considering how this may unlock future extensions. One option being worked up includes using tram-train technology to run beyond Stockport town centre along the Denton line, connecting the area firmly into the wider Bee Network of tram and bus provision, including links to Tameside and Manchester Airport.
‘We’ve a bold plan to deliver a decade of good growth for Greater Manchester, one that benefits every part of the city region. Developing the Bee Network and delivering better bus, tram and train connections will be fundamental to our growth story’, said Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
‘For too long, Denton has been overlooked and by working up the tram-train option to connect Denton and the wider area to the Metrolink is a big step toward unlocking opportunities for local residents and businesses.’
TfGM said significant progress had already been made on the first stage of the Stockport Metrolink extension business case. Submission of formal plans to the Department for Transport is expected in early 2026. Construction of the ‘core’ scheme between East Didsbury and Stockport could begin by the end of the decade, subject to approvals and funding.
Pathfinder in the north
Meanwhile, in the north of the conurbation, TfGM’s Bee Network Committee has approved £5∙7m in funding to support more work in planning the proposed Oldham – Rochdale – Heywood – Bury tram-train ‘pathfinder’ scheme.
The funding will enable TfGM to develop detailed plans for the route, which is expected to share the corridor linking Bury with Network Rail’s Calder Valley Main Line at Castleton Junction, much of which is currently used by the heritage East Lancs Railway. The scheme is taking on greater importance thanks to the start of work in mid-November on the planned Atom Valley innovation cluster, which will cover a swathe of land between Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and central Manchester.
The latest light rail funding approval will also enable TfGM to explore options to improve the wider Metrolink tram fleet. Policymakers hope a fleet renewal programme would enable longer LRVs to run on the existing network, while also facilitating the introduction of tram-train operation over main line tracks around Manchester.
