![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_JS328092137.jpg\")
Stockport Interchange(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n‘It\u2019s been a long time coming’ Stockport Interchange(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s finally happening.<\/p>\n
Stockport has been waiting for years for a Metrolink<\/a> extension – and today the government announced it is stumping up the cash to turn the plans into reality.<\/p>\n Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been given \u00a32.5bn to spend on new projects, including extending the tram network to Stockport<\/a> town centre.<\/p>\n Stockport\u2019s transport interchange opened last year and was designed to be \u2018Metrolink ready\u2019. It is thought that is where the tram line will be extended to, joining the network at the existing stop in East Didsbury<\/a>.<\/p>\n Residents in the borough are delighted the tram is finally coming – and said it will bring huge benefits.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a good idea, it helps people get to more places,\u201d said 23-year-old Devan Whitelock.<\/p>\n \u201cI use the transport interchange every now and then for the buses, I go to Manchester quite a bit, so it would save me getting the bus or train. It\u2019s a great thing for the town.\u201d<\/p>\n John Holroyd, 77, added: “I\u2019m pleased about it, I think it will bring people from Didsbury here, or help people from Stockport go to Manchester.<\/p>\n \u201cI live in Heaton Mersey and take a bus to Didsbury to use the Metrolink, it\u2019s a lot better than driving on the A6, that can be really busy.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Healey lives in Didsbury and visits Stockport with his wife Susan.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt will be a real benefit to us, it\u2019s been a long time coming, and it\u2019s great for the town too.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not long to get to Stockport from us, having Metrolink in the town centre will be great.\u201d<\/p>\n Stockport council<\/a> leader Mark Roberts said the announcement is a \u201chuge moment\u201d for both Stockport and Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n Last week, Coun Roberts urged the government to \u2018put its money where its mouth is\u2019 so the work can get started.<\/p>\n That wish was granted, but it followed years of campaigning to get to this point, a project known as \u2018Next Stop Stockport\u2019.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re absolutely delighted that the government has backed funding to bring Metrolink to Stockport – this is a huge moment for our borough and for Greater Manchester,\u201d Coun Roberts said.<\/p>\n “Stockport is the fastest-growing town in Greater Manchester, and today\u2019s decision sends a powerful signal that investment is following ambition.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve already delivered the award-winning, Metrolink-ready Stockport Interchange and the UK\u2019s largest town centre regeneration – now, we\u2019re ready to roll up our sleeves and get on site to deliver Metrolink.\u201d<\/p>\n Coun Grace Baynham, the council\u2019s transport chief, added: “Next Stop Stockport will be transformational for Stockport\u2019s economy and our communities, but also for Greater Manchester\u2019s communities too.<\/p>\n “This investment is significant to scale up our success and sends a clear signal that Stockport\u2019s time is now.”<\/p>\n Coun Jon Byrne, shadow transport lead in Stockport council\u2019s Labour<\/a> opposition group, said: “Stockport Labour and Andy Burnham<\/a> have always been committed to bringing Metrolink to Stockport as an important piece of the Bee Network puzzle.<\/p>\n![\"Devan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_JS371414212.jpg\")
Devan Whitelock said Metrolink will be great for Stockport.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/399621241_306913465540722_7935544994917056267_n.jpg\")
The interchange, seen here under construction, has a park on top, and was designed for trams to run there(Image: DMW Droneography)<\/p>\n![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_JS371414206.jpg\")
Mike Healey and wife Susan live in Didsbury but enjoy visiting Stockport.<\/p>\n