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No trains are set to run through Stockport station for three weeks this summer – here’s why

An inconvenience but a necessary one.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 9th June 2025

Commuters can expect some significant disruption to a major rail link this summer, as no trains are set to pass through Stockport train station for the best part of a month due to fairly sizeable maintenance works nearby.

As a result, those catching the trains in and around the North West will have to make do with alternative services, diversions and rail replacement buses for at least three weeks.

With the Stockport station ‘Masterplan‘ officially announced in 2024, the key Greater Manchester connection is set for a major overhaul in the coming years, with the aim of turning it into a “modern facility” fitting of the town’s ongoing resurgence.

First up, it seems, is the long overdue replacement of the Greek Street roundabout bridge, which was built back in 1958 and has been in need of updating for some time.

More details surrounding specific travel arrangements are set to be distributed to the public in the coming weeks, but Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have confirmed they will be accepting train tickets on Bee Network buses in the meantime.

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While the ticket office and underpass between Edgeley and the recently regenerated Stockport Exchange will remain open, the station itself will be virtually out of operation for three weeks in August.

At present, the works are scheduled to last from Saturday, 2-23 August, so many of those travelling through the town during this time may need to make alternative arrangements.

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Issuing an update late last month, Network Rail’s project manager William Brandon 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 […] I’d advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journey.”

The area in question. (Credit: Network Rail)

Network Rail clarified that while the Greek Street bridge is being demolished and the new one (which is set to last all the way up until 2145) is reinstalled, engineers have already been working closely with utility companies in the locale to safely divert gas, water, electricity and so on.

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As for Avanti West Coast themselves, Stockport Station Manager, Lisa Magee, went on to add: “While there’ll be no trains to or from Stockport for 21 days […] Avanti West Coast teams will be on hand to support those making journeys via rail replacement bus.

“Together with Network Rail and other train operators, we’re finalising the timetable and will share more details in the coming weeks, so customers can plan their journeys in advance.”

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding, and as always, we strongly encourage them to check the National Rail website, as well as with their train operators, for the latest updates.”

This isn’t the only major travel update for SK announced as of late, either – something much bigger is coming to the borough as part of the Bee Network expansion.

Trams are officially coming to Stockport as part of £2.5bn investment package
It’s a huge deal.

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Featured Images — Stockport Council/Smabs Sputzer (via Flickr)

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The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Moving house

The Council is now offering financial help to support people moving into a smaller and ‘more manageable’ property.  

Ever heard of ‘rightsizing? Well, according Manchester City Council it’s a process where a tenant in a larger social rent, Council, or Housing Association property, that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older, can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs. 

The benefits of this process include cheaper bills, lower rents, and overall, just homes that are easier to clean and manage.

The aim of it is also to free up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register – of which there are said to be around 20,000 of them currently at this time, with larger homes having some of the most significant wait times.

It’s also estimated, according to the Council, that a third of all social rented family homes are thought to ‘underoccupied’.

This is why financial support and grants are now being offered.

Last year alone, 109 households were helped to ‘rightsize’ and were supported in the process by a dedicated team of Council officers, as well as benefitting from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme – with a further 432 households having expressed interest doing so in the future.

Residents interested in ‘rightsizing’ could get a cash incentive of £2,500, which can be spent on anything they like, along with moving costs.  

Houses
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)

“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development.

“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.  

“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home, which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.”

Read more:

Does this sound like you? Are you ready to ‘rightsize’? Find out more and begin the process via Manchester City Council’s website here.

Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)

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Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Lucy Letby mugshot

The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.

The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.

It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.

Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.  

Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.

Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.

“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”

Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.

“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”

Read more:

The Investigation of Lucy Letby will be released and available to stream on Netflix in the UK and Ireland on 4 February 2026.

Featured Image – Cheshire Police

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