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 worksnearby.
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.
⏳10 weeks to go❗️
From 2-23 August, trains won't run through Stockport while we rebuild the Greek Street railway bridge as part of a £20m investment in safer, stronger journeys
🚧Rail replacement buses will be in place and more information to come
— Manchester Piccadilly (@NetworkRailMAN) May 30, 2025
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.
Pair jailed after filming themselves driving over 130mph before killing man in fatal Manchester collision
Emily Sergeant
Two men who filmed themselves driving at speeds of over 130mph before a fatal collision earlier this year have now been jailed.
20-year-old Uways Hussain, of Marley Road in Manchester, has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison, while 23-year-old Usmon Mahmood, of Buller Road in Manchester, has been sentenced to 12 years and nine months.
Their sentences follow a night of what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) called ‘dangerous driving’ around the South Manchester area, which started at around 11pm on the evening before the collision.
The vehicle – a Volkswagon Golf – belonged to Mahmood, but he allowed Hussain to drive the vehicle at high-speed throughout the night.
On the evening prior to the collision, beginning at around 11pm, Hussain and Mahmood were driving recklessly around the South Manchester area.
According to police, the pair filmed themselves consistently travelling at speeds of over 100mph on 30mph roads, and in several cases, theyvreached over 130mph and seconds before impact, were recorded at 139mph.
Recorded footage also showed them running red lights and weaving through traffic with no regard for the safety of other road users or pedestrians.
At one stage during the night, the pair stopped at a petrol station, where footage shows Mahmood inhaling from a balloon in the passenger seat, while later o Hussain can be seen doing over 100mph and also appearing to be inhaling from a balloon while driving.
The fatal collision happened at around 4:36am on Monday 9 March 2026 at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway, where the victim – Sylvester Abayomi, 50 – was on his way to work and entered the junction on a green light, believing it was safe to proceed, but was then struck by the car being driven by Hussain, which had travelled through a red light at extremely high speed.
Sylvester Abayomi / Credit: GMP
Immediately following the collision, GMP received several emergency calls and an automatic alert from Hussain’s Apple Watch saying he had been involved in a collision.
During this alert, both men could be heard discussing plans to flee the scene and attempting to decide what evidence they needed to remove from the vehicle. They were also heard discussing reporting the vehicle as stolen, and shortly afterwards, they booked an Uber to escape.
Emergency services attended the scene, but sadly, despite their best efforts, Sylvester sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead.
GMP says it received its first report of the incident at 4:37am,, and within 12 minutes the pair had been located, caught, and arrested by officers.
DC Thomas Johnson, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, described the incident as ‘one of the most extreme cases of dangerous driving we have encountered’.
It’s also believed that this is one of the first times in the country where a passenger has been convicted for aid and abetting causing death by dangerous driving.
Featured Image – GMP
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Stockport band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked lineup.
They might have a ‘Joke About Divorce’ from time to time, but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, having played at Bramham Park three times in the past decade already.
The Stockport band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track ‘Charlemagne’ and more recently with the addition of their fifth studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles, and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they visit this August bank holiday weekend.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as ‘Special Guests’, appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the lineup are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K’s and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Whether you’re there for ‘Your Girlfriend’ or ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Danny Jones -
9th June 2025 
