
Following the grand opening of a brand new £140m interchange in Stockport earlier this year, work has started on a much-anticipated business case to expand the Metrolink tram network to Stockport. The Metrolink network – which currently connects Manchester city centre to parts of Salford and residential areas of the city – has seen fantastic developments over the past half a decade, including the extension to the Trafford Centre, the roll-out of dogs being allowed on trams and late night services, and now, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that the formal process of creating a business case is underway, and that it has already awarded contracts for the design, modelling and appraisal of the work.
The business case is essential to justify funding what would be a significant scheme, costing in the hundreds of millions, according to TfGM. The news will be well-received by commuters looking for reliable options to access the city centre, and will, in turn, open up an array of new opportunities across the city-region for workers who rely on public transport. As part of the newly opened interchange in Stockport, TfGM also confirmed that space for a tram link has already been included.
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The swanky new interchange connects Stockport bus services to the train station with a brand-new walkway, with entrances on Mersey Square, Swaine Street and Daw Bank. Upcoming developments include a new spiral walking and cycling ramp, which will connect the new interchange park with the Trans Pennine Trail. The interchange is part of a £1bn investment to make Stockport a better place to both live and visit, and the interchange was built with space for the tram link in mind.
Rumours are also currently swirling about tram lines being added to the Oldham area or even Bolton. Earlier in the year, Andy Burnham confirmed that all of these areas were ‘priorities’ for TfGM and said “we want to take Metrolink to as many places as possible”.
Stockport Council also lodged a proposal earlier this year to connect the town even further with trams to Manchester areas, including Manchester Airport and East Didsbury.