Cheadle's 100-year wait for its own train connection could get longer after concerns about delays to the opening of a new station.

The Stockport village is set to get a railway station after planning permission was granted last year and Stockport council said the project was 'progressing towards construction on-site.'

The town hall said a new rail station in Cheadle will see trains 'stopping in the village for the first time in more than 100 years' after a former station closed in 1917.

Bosses hoped the new station would be ready by the end of 2025 – but setbacks mean it could be longer before trains are finally picking up passengers in the area once again.

The issue is understood to be around timetable adjustments on the Mid Cheshire line, which Cheadle's new station will join when ready.

This links to both Stockport town centre and Manchester Piccadilly, but parts of the line only have a single track, sources said.

The mid-Cheshire line is used by Northern Rail services as well as freight trains, and a timetable review is taking place to make sure existing train services using the route are not impacted by the opening of a new station.

(Image - Pell Frischmann)

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern in the North West, confirmed a "review of the wider timetable implications along the line" is taking place, and that the train company is working with Stockport council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Network Rail to get the station open.

Cheadle MP Tom Morrison wrote on Facebook last week that the opening of the new station "looks to be slightly delayed" due to the extra timetable checks taking place.

Afterwards, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "A new railway station for Cheadle is vital, offering better transport links, less congestion, and a boost for our local economy.

"There's no excuse for further delays. I'm pressing ministers, Northern Rail, and local leaders to get this project moving and deliver the station our community was promised as soon as possible."

The site earmarked for the new station is based north of Cheadle High Street, off Manchester Road, with a single platform for trains heading both directions on the line.

(Image - Pell Frischmann)

A £13.9-million funding package was approved for the project in 2022 as part of the previous government's Towns Fund scheme.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Stockport council's cabinet member for transport, said: "We continue to work closely with Northern and all partners involved to get Cheadle station delivered for our residents.

"We're keen to see progress move at pace and remain committed to ensuring this much-needed station becomes a reality as soon as possible."

A TfGM spokesperson said: "TfGM is working with Stockport council on the business case and development of plans for a new rail station in Cheadle. In addition, we are liaising with industry partners, including Northern Rail, on a delivery timetable.

"We remain absolutely committed to the new station and to delivering the benefits it will bring to the community as soon as possible."

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