Network Rail is set to invest £8.5 billion in the North-West region of the West Coast Mainline, aiming to improve 'train performance', the environment, and 'sustainable growth'. 

Being a key station on the West Coast Mainline, Stockport will reap some of the benefits of this investment. 

In a statement outlining plans for 2024-29, Network Rail said their priorities were to run "a cost-effective and efficient railway for the passenger", to improve current infrastructure and passenger experience, making the railway 'accessible for all', and to ensure that the railway remains the 'greenest form of transport'. 

Investment will take place to prevent delays caused by adverse weather and climate change in the form of drainage upgrades - reducing the risk of track flooding - earthwork projects to prevent landslips, and upgrading overhead power lines and track to make them less likely to fail in extreme temperatures.

Network Rail also plan to invest in technology and research, to facilitate the introduction of other infrastructure upgrades.

The organisation also announced plans for 'office rationalisation', identifying Stockport Hub as a 'significant workplace location'.  

According to the North West and Central business plan, Stockport Hub was "included as a key office and redevelopment opportunity around the station".

The same document also mentions Stockport as a targeted area for the renewal of level crossings.  

As a key station on the West Coast Mainline, Stockport will recieve some of the benefits of this Network Rail investment (Image - Alasdair Perry)

The funding comes as part of Control Period 7 (CP7) - the government has made £44 billion in total available to Network Rail for this five year span, to deliver improvements across its service, with £8.5 billion allocated to the North West area of the network.

The West Coast Mainline is a vital economic and social network - it links Glasgow and Edinburgh to London and stretches along the western flank of the country, incorporating major towns and cities along the way. 

The North West section connects Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester and Cumbria to the network, with 5,702 services running per day in this region on average. 

Outlining the work that needs to be done, Tim Shoveller, managing director of the North West and Central regions, said: "The condition of our assets is deteriorating, exacerbated by the extreme weather we've seen over recent years. 

"Railway performance is not meeting our passenger's expectations and we must address the causes of disruption and poor punctuality. 

"This means that, as we look ahead to CP7, we must make some challenging decisions about how and where we invest to offer value for money to the UK taxpayer.

"What remains unchanged as we approach CP7 is our inherent purpose: to provide a safe, efficient, and reliable infrastructure for our passengers and freight users, and enable economic growth and social value.

"Our CP7 plans are ambitious and impactful. During CP7, major investment projects including the TransPennine route upgrade, East West Rail and our Manchester infrastructure upgrades will transform travel across our region, providing faster, greener and more reliable journeys, and support the levelling-up of the North.

"Our renewals and maintenance plans optimise investment in our infrastructure to deliver for passengers and freight."

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