No trains will run through Stockport railway station for 21 days during the month of August due to “a once-in-a-lifetime” project. The Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line will be closed for three weeks this August for work to be carried out on the Greek Street bridge, a £20m investment which will see the 67-year-old bridge demolished and rebuilt.
The original bridge in Stockport, which was constructed in 1958, needs to be replaced with a modern structure which will last for up to 120 years. In March 2025, the Greek Street roundabout, that sits on top of the structure, was closed to traffic.
William Brandon, Network Rail’s project manager, said: “The work to strengthen Stockport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.
“I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this. Between 2 – the morning of 23 August, I’d advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journey.
“We have worked closely with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council on the best alternative travel plan possible for a closure of this size. I’d advise you to check your specific journey on National Rail Enquiries website to understand exactly how your services will be affected.”
When will no trains being running through Stockport railway station?
The Greek Street bridge will is be demolished and rebuilt over 21 days between August 2 and 22, which will see Stockport railway station closed as a result. The railway will reopen the morning of August 23.
Which train services running through Stockport will be affected?
The effects of the closure are far-reaching because of the critical location of the bridge. During the closure, there will be no train services on the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly, and no train services on other lines into Stockport. Where possible, services are being diverted around Stockport.
There will be changes to services at the following stations:
- Adlington (Cheshire)
- Alderley Edge
- Altrincham
- Blackpool
- Bramhall
- Cheadle Hulme
- Congleton
- Davenport
- Denton
- Doncaster
- Gatley
- Handforth
- Hazel Grove
- Heaton Chapel
- Kidsgrove
- Levenshulme
- Lichfield Trent Valley
- Liverpool Lime Street
- London Euston
- Longport
- Macclesfield
- Manchester Oxford Road
- Manchester Piccadilly
- Meadowhall
- Poynton
- Prestbury
- Reddish South
- Sheffield
- Stockport
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Warrington Central
- Wilmslow
- Woodsmoor
Alternative travel arrangements whilst no trains run through Stockport
Between August 2 and 22, no trains will be able to run through Stockport with rail replacement buses in operation. Passengers are advised to plan their journey on the National Rail Enquires website, where they can find information about how their specific services are affected.
Transport for Greater Manchester are accepting rail tickets on the following Bee Network bus services in the Stockport/Manchester/Altrincham areas, plus Metrolink between Altrincham/Navigation Road – Manchester city centre stops:
- 192 Hazel Grove/Stockport/Manchester
- 368 Stockport/Cheadle Hulme/Heald Green
- 378 Stockport/Davenport
- 11 Altrincham/Stockport
- 370 Altrincham/Stockport
- 371 Altrincham/Stockport
- 42c (Handforth Dean – East Didsbury – Piccadilly)
- 42a (North Reddish – Heaton Chapel – Piccadilly Gardens
Lisa Magee, Avanti West Coast station manager at Stockport, said: “While there’ll be no trains to or from Stockport for 21 days, the station’s ticket office and underpass will be open as normal during this period and the Avanti West Coast team will be on hand to support those making journeys via rail replacement bus.
“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this major work takes place. We strongly advise customers to plan ahead, leave extra time for their journeys, and check the National Rail website, as well as with their train operator for the latest updates.”