A Stockport Council scrutiny review panel recently published a report on the economic and social case for Metrolink in Stockport.  

The report came out strongly in favour of a Metrolink service in Stockport, citing economic benefits, greater connectivity, and cleaner air through increased public transport use. 

A key statement reads: "The panel felt it was important that the proposed Metrolink and tram train schemes were delivered in Stockport as soon as practicable, as they believed they provided a substantial addition to the public transport options available to residents, visitors and businesses in Stockport."

In a foreword to the report, Cllr David Meller - chair of the scrutiny review panel and current council Labour leader - argued that a Metrolink service would provide local residents and businesses with greater access to Manchester city centre, and vice versa.  

Presenting the report to last term's council in March, Cllr Meller stressed that the council should make Metrolink the primary transport infrastructure, ahead of any road-building.

In response, Cllr Colin MacAlister fully agreed with the report, but pointed out that it inaccurately assumed the cabinet had the full authority to implement the Metrolink.

"We are ready and willing and able to bring Metrolink into the local authority", said Cllr MacAlister.

"All the recommendations in the report are great. [...] But ultimately, that does not rest with this local authority." 

Cllr MacAlister also expressed his frustration that Stockport seemed to be left out when it came to the Metrolink, pointing out that it was the only local authority closely bordering the city centre which did not have a Metrolink service. 

"It has to be pointed out that just as we are last in line with Metrolink, we are last in line as far as bus franchising is concerned, and our residents deserve better."

Echoing the above councillor's sentiment, Cllr Helen Foster-Grime said that the Metrolink was something "all of us for many years have been collectively fighting for", adding that the then council leader Cllr Mark Hunter never missed an opportunity to raise the need for a Metrolink in dealings with Transport for Greater Manchester and other bodies.

She added: "The report backs and underpins the desire of the council to take this forward with as much urgency as we can."

If proposals go ahead, the Metrolink would complement the new bus station as another key piece of transport infrastructure. (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Proposed routes have included a mixture of Metrolink lines and tram train lines. The former uses purpose-built track, whereas the latter can operate on both purpose-built lines and existing lines used by trains.  

Theoretical lines have included a Metrolink from East Didsbury to Stockport town centre and railway station, as well as tram train lines to Manchester Airport, Hazel Grove, Marple, and Ashton.

The report stated, however, that a line to the town centre should be the priority, with the end goal being improving interconnectedness across the wider borough. 

The scrutiny review panel admits that "such a network could take decades to deliver because of funding constraints, as it is expensive to deliver new Metrolink/ tram train lines and each line would need to demonstrate its viability via its own business case".  

Ultimately, it seems that many councillors are eager to progress, but do not have the authority to implement Metrolink entirely by themselves.

Cllr Meller proposed utilising the ambition of the mayoral development corporation to help realise the proposals.    

Metrolink proposals will no doubt remain a key issue for the new council.

Metrolink image by Tom Page, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

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