Exciting news for our city-region, as Mayor Andy Burnham recently confirmed plans to extend the Metrolink south to Stockport.
Speaking outside Stockport Interchange, he noted that the appraisal was completed and initially intended to be published in early June, however this has been pushed back due to the general election.
“The work is done and we will be publishing as soon as we can after the election”, he confirmed.
Extending the public transport options across the city is essential for its continued growth. Having access to the Metro makes jobs more accessible – from those living in the city and commuting, to those living in the suburbs but wanting to work in the city – by reducing commute times and opening up opportunities to those who don’t have access to a car.
Extending transport options also attracts new firms to areas, which in turn will bring the workforce with them. It also works as an aid to unlocking new investment in the city for housing, helping to balance the supply and demand imbalance the city – and nation – is struggling with at the moment.
Before its official confirmation, Manchester Evening News had examined which route the line might take were it to be confirmed. The article discovers, from publicly-available railway maps, that there is a dormant line running from where the (in-use) East Didsbury line ends, and discusses that if their predictions are correct, the Metrolink could be opened up in Heaton Mersey, Stockport town centre or Hazel Grove.
For now, it remains a guessing game where and when the Metro will be open to the public, but the good news is, it’s happening!
