Greater Manchester (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Metrolink extensions to Stockport, Heywood, and Middleton could start within four years, pending government approval. Progress hinges on a strong business case and funding.
What are the key factors influencing the start of Metrolink extensions to Stockport, Heywood, and Middleton?
Constructing work on Greater Manchester Metrolink extensions to Stockport, Heywood, and Middleton could begin in the next four years. That’s according to Andy Burnham, who expresses getting ‘spades in the ground’ is ‘possible’ — but it hinges on final sign-off from the government. While whispered for years, the extensions to Stockport, Heywood, and Middleton have moved forward, particularly in recent weeks.
That came after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) issued its draft rapid transit strategy, which recognised the extensions as priorities for the city region. Currently, business issues are being worked on to be presented to the government for approval, which would demonstrate how the projects would be funded.
How does the approval process for Metrolink extensions depend on government sign-off?
When questioned if ‘we could see spades in the ground this mayoral term’ which culminates in 2028 for the projects, Mr Burnham responded: “It’s possible. I hesitate because it all depends on the business case being strong enough to get through the Treasury.
“The judgment is not ours, we have to get them signed off by the government. I think all of that points to a culture change over transport. Transport is the enabler for evolution. It brings the growth the government states it wants — without it, you won’t get the growth.
How might the proposed Metrolink extensions impact Greater Manchester’s growth and economy?
“It’s about not letting these things carry on and making quick decisions. If you have got the clarity about, let’s say, Metrolink coming to Stockport, you can perform on the business case with the private sector to say ‘How many homes will you build there’, ‘What will that to the economy here’, that creates the business case and gets it through the Treasury process. It’s possible, is the answer. But it requires a change in the way Whitehall works.”
He was talking after a meeting of northern mayors and Transport Secretary Lou Haigh, which revealed the recommendations of the Rail and Urban Transport Review authorised by Labour while in opposition. Its chief policy is to designate a ‘Transport Strategy for England’ which will summarise how the country’s public transport system should grow over the next half a century.
During the event, Lou Haigh also demonstrated other Greater Manchester transport schemes on the mayor’s wishlist — including a fresh railway line to Liverpool, an underground Piccadilly station, and further ground-level platforms at the terminus — would be determined upon by the government in the next few months.