New plans will see major changes to Stockport town centre – backed by nearly £10m in funding.

The money has been reprioritised from the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, and will be used to pay for upgrades at Stockport railway station and create greener ways to travel about the town.

More than £4m has been earmarked for the train station to bring 'improved pedestrian connections' on the Edgeley side, alongside an application for a new connection from Thompson Street which would create a ramp shortcut route.

There are further plans for 'an improved platform and service offer' for commuters.

Around £5.5m will also be spent on a package of works making 'key pedestrian and cycle links' in an area in the west of the town centre, where there is a £350m regeneration project about to take place known as Stockport 8.

This aims to turn the area near Stockport Viaduct into a 'fully sustainable and walkable neighbourhood', with up to 1,300 new homes in the pipeline, of a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments.

Part of the funding will pay for 'key pedestrian and cycle links' in the west of Stockport town centre near the Viaduct (Image - Nub News)

The new transport projects were discussed by councillors at Stockport town hall on Monday night (September 1).

Cllr Grace Baynham, who leads the council's work on transport services, said there are connections in the town centre that 'don't quite match up' because of the big changes taking place.

"What we're hoping to do is look at those connections we can make while we have the opportunity while things are developing, so that we don't lose those opportunities to develop good walking, cycling and other active travel links alongside the requirements for the vehicle links that we need within the town centre still."

She added that the money for upgrades at Stockport station would help to modernise the busy transport hub as part of a wider transformation.

"We're hoping to be able to get approval for the full redevelopment of the station which will bring it up to a 21st-Century standard, and also potentially improve the amount of capacity through Stockport station on the West Coast Main Line which is key to the economic development of Stockport and its transport links."

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