The government has confirmed that plans to connect Stockport onto the Metrolink are being “actively studied”.
The Greater Manchester borough is one of a few areas that is not currently connected up to the region’s expansive tram network, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed during PMQs in the House of Commons yesterday that the Department for Transport (DfT) is “actively studying” ways to get services running through the town soon enough.
The PM made the comment after Cheadle’s MP said that she now wanted the town on the tram network after the green light had been given for plans to build a new central railway station.
The single-platform railway station is due to open in 2025, and will connect Cheadle to Stockport town centre and beyond.
However during PMQs yesterday, Cheadle MP Mary Robinson said that she now wanted to see the mid-Cheshire line made into a double line with an extension of the Metrolink into the town, as she feels that improving connectivity is “key to economic growth” and the future of the government’s Levelling Up agenda.
The PM’s confirmation comments also come after it was announced this week that nearly £14 million has been secured for Stockport from the government’s Towns Fund – which will go towards the construction of the new train station.
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The government has confirmed that plans to connect Stockport onto the Metrolink are being “actively studied” / Credit: TfGM & SMDC
Money from the funding will also go towards two other projects.
One project being a north-south cycling and walking route – which will link the new station to the town centre – and the other being the building of a new Eco Business Park on Bird Hall Lane.
MP Mary Robinson said in her question to the Prime Minister: “After securing almost £14m in my town’s fund bid for Cheadle, I was delighted last week to get the green light for our new Cheadle rail station, and £4m for our state-of-the-art eco business park.
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“I have had tremendous support from the Cheadle Towns Board and local community who understand how important it is to have connected towns and villages bringing investment and hi-tech jobs to our area.
“I’m ambitious for Cheadle, and I now want to secure the re-doubling of the mid-Cheshire line and the extension of Metrolink through my constituency.”
It comes after nearly £14 million has been secured for Stockport from the government’s Towns Fund / Credit: TfGM
Mr Johnson said in response: “It’s thanks to the massive exertions of this government in levelling up with the £650 billion investment in infrastructure that we’re having a new railway station in Cheadle, for instance Mr Speaker.
“I know that the bids that my honourable friend just mentioned are now being actively studied by the Department for Transport and she should feed in more to them.”
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The extension of the tram network through to Stockport is something that has been discussed as far back as 2004, and in 2020, Andy Burnham announced plans to bring Metrolink to the borough within the next 10 years.
Stockport’s new transport interchange, which is currently under construction on the site of the town’s old bus station, has also been designed to to leave space for the addition of any future Metrolink or Tram-Train extensions.
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
14th July 2022 
