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Richard -
10th August 2022
Richard -
10th August 2022 The vision to bring trams to Stockport takes a step forward with plans to use underused railway line
Daisy Jackson
New plans are being considered that could bring trams to Stockport at last.
Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council are developing a business case to extend the tram network to Stockport from East Didsbury.
There are proposals to make use of the ‘underused’ Denton rail line, connecting Ashton to Manchester Airport via Stockport.
Technical work on the first stage of the business case is underway, with plans to submit the case to the Department for Transport next year.
Work could begin before the end of the decade.
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It’s thought that some of these plans, including using the line through Denton, could transform connectivity for thousands of residents and businesses across Greater Manchester.
The first step in the process is exploring a ‘core’ extension from the existing Metrolink stop at East Didsbury to Stockport town centre.
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But another idea and future extensions includes using tram-train technology to run beyond Stockport town centre, connecting Tameside and Manchester Airport.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We’ve a bold plan to deliver a decade of good growth for Greater Manchester, one that benefits every part of the city region. Developing the Bee Network and delivering better bus, tram and train connections will be fundamental to our growth story.
“For too long, Denton has been overlooked and by working up the tram-train option to connect Denton and the wider area to the Metrolink is a big step toward unlocking opportunities for local residents and businesses.
“We’re committed to extending Metrolink to Stockport and beyond as part of our efforts to connect all our districts to the tram network and delivering a truly integrated transport network for everyone.”
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton & Denton, said: “For years I’ve campaigned, alongside the local community, for improved transport links to Denton and across the constituency. I’m delighted that as part of the Metrolink extension plans, TfGM are looking seriously at using the rail line as an option for tram-train services.
“Improved connectivity is key to opening up opportunities for our people and communities, and supporting the growth ambitions across the city region.
“I’ve long campaigned for better transport links for Denton, and I’m delighted TfGM is looking seriously at this rail line as part of the Metrolink extension plans. This could be transformative for our community, improving connectivity and supporting growth across the area.”
Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport, said: “Since my election to the House of Commons in December 2019, I have been pushing the Government to fund the extension of Manchester’s Metrolink tram network into my constituency of Stockport, and I thank the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chancellor and Transport for Greater Manchester for backing the extension to our town centre.
“This will be a significant boost for Stockport’s connectivity and local economy, helping people to get to work, school and healthcare appointments more easily and sustainably as well as unlocking new homes and jobs.”
Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Eleanor Wills, said: “The options being developed to utilise the Denton rail line to expand Metrolink and better connect Ashton to Manchester Airport via Stockport have the potential to be truly transformational.
“The Ashton Mayoral Development Zone is an exciting and vital opportunity to unlock Ashton’s potential, providing new homes and quality jobs. With even better transport links we can set ourselves up to for good growth for many years to come.”
Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Roberts, said: “I’ve always said when it comes to MetroLink that it should be “Next Stop Stockport not Last Stop Stockport” to the help deliver the ambition we have -the delivery of Metrolink and improving public transport connectivity across the borough and Greater Manchester is something we can all get behind.”
With Greater Manchester embarking on a decade of good growth, the city region is committed through the Greater Manchester Strategy to developing a transport system for a global city region – with 90% of people within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes.
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Earlier this year, the government awarded Greater Manchester £2.5 billion through Transport for the City Regions funding for a pipeline of projects including a tram line to Stockport and tram-train services connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, new Metrolink stops and modern new interchanges.
The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects.
Metrolink is already the UK’s largest light rail network, with 99 stops connecting seven of the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. Record numbers of people are also getting onboard, with 45.6million trips made in 2024 – up from 33.5m trips in 2022.
Read more: Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for ‘once-in-a-generation’ upgrade
Featured image: TfGM
John Cooper Clarke announces latest UK headline tour along with new book
Danny Jones
The ‘Bard of Salford’ himself, Dr John Cooper Clarke, is back with another UK headline tour in 2026, plus a brand-new book to boot.
Now 76 and still as fiery as ever, ‘The Godfather of Punk Poetry’s career spans more than half a century, and as a Greater Manchester native and cultural icon, he’s still just as worth celebrating as ever with each passing year.
Becoming the first poet to ever headline a UK arena with his landmark Co-op Live back in March, it’s been another milestone 12 months for local legend, and he clearly has absolutely no intentions of slowing down next year either.
Revealing a raft of new tour dates on Monday, 1 December, John Cooper Clarke will be bringing his spoken word stylings and latest collection – satsifyingly titled Have It – to crowds all over the country.
Confirming a total of 20 new live shows, JCC will be kicking off his next tour in October 2026 in time for the launch of his latest title.
Following on from last year’s release, ‘WHAT‘, which became an instant Sunday Times bestseller, and his memoir (published back in 2020), this will be his fifth book to date.
2025 also saw him receive the prestigious Northern Music Award (NMAs) in recognition of his phenomenal influence in the music world and art as a whole.
As for us here at Audio North, we recently also had the incredible privilege of sitting down to chat with Cooper Clarke ourselves ahead of the announcement, so keep your eyes peeled for that one…
You can see John Cooper Clarke’s list of live shows in full down below.
JCC UK headline tour dates 2026
We’ve kindly italicised all the Northern dates for you as well.
- Wed, 7 Oct – Southend Palace Theatre
- Sat, 10 Oct – Poole Lighthouse
- Sun, 11 Oct – Bristol Beacon
- Wed, 14 Oct – Brighton Theatre Royal
- Thu, 15 Oct – London Palladium
- Sat, 17 Oct – Sheffield City Hall
- Tue, 20 Oct – Glasgow Pavilion
- Wed, 21 Oct – Carlisle Old Fire Station
- Fri, 23 Oct – Stoke-On-Trent Victoria Hall
- Sat, 24 Oct – Birmingham Town Hall
- Wed, 28 Oct – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
- Sat, 31 Oct – Leeds City Varieties Music Hall
- Wed, 4 Nov – Whitley Bay The Playhouse
- Fri, 6 Nov – York Grand Opera House
- Thu, 12 Nov – Dublin 3 Olympia
- Sun, 15 Nov – Belfast Mandela Hall
- Wed, 18 Nov – Blackpool Opera House
- Sat, 21 Nov – Manchester O2 Apollo
- Wed, 25 Nov – Leicester De Montfort Hall
- Fri, 27 Nov – Edinburgh Queens Hall
Tickets for Dr John Cooper Clarke in October 2026 will be available from this Friday, 5 December at 10am via Gigs and Tours as well as his official website.
You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Read more:
- Oasis and adidas reveal ‘Drop 2’ in Live ’25 tour merch collection
- Review | ‘Hopefully!’, you get lucky enough to see the spectacle that is Loyle Carner live
- Sex Pistols and Frank Carter to toast 50 years of punk with massive outdoor gig in Manchester
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/The Manc Group
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