Nearly two years on from securing funding, the long-awaited train station for Cheadle is still in its planning stages, the council have said.
In July 2022, it was announced that Stockport Council had secured nearly £14 million in funding for the area from the government’s Towns Fund.
Along with two other projects, the grant was set to fund a new train station, slated for opening in 2025.
But with no signs of activity at the proposed site, Stockport Council have confirmed that the project is still in the planning stages.
When approached for comment, a council spokesperson said: “Following granting of full planning approval in October 2023, the scheme is currently progressing through detailed design work and complex network planning with key rail industry stakeholders.
“Early site activity is currently expected to begin this Autumn with the main works starting in 2025, with the aim to complete the project by the end of that year.”
The £3.6 billion Towns Fund was announced by Boris Johnson’s government back in July 2019 as part of the ‘levelling-up agenda’.
Struggling towns deemed in need of funding were invited to apply – and Cheadle was one of the lucky 101.
A Towns Fund Board was duly set up, and an investment plan submitted to government in October 2020 which outlined three projects: a green business park, improved walking and cycling routes, and a new station.
The announcement that funding had been secured was welcomed by residents, as poor public transport connections has long been a source of complaint.
Buses into neighbouring Didsbury – where residents are spoiled with a choice of buses, trains and trams – run roughly every half an hour and stop just after 8pm.
Trains still pass through the village on the railway bridge over Manchester Road, 100m north of the high street – but there hasn’t been a station there for over 100 years.
Cheadle railway station opened in 1866 on the Chester-Manchester line but sadly closed to passengers in 1917.
It is hoped that the new station will improve links to Manchester city centre and ease local congestion – but whether it will open when promised remains to be seen.
Featured Image Credit: David Dixon, via Wikimedia Commons
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