Cheadle Must Be on the Metrolink Map

Today the Government announced a major new £2.5 billion funding package to improve transport across Greater Manchester – including long-awaited plans to extend the Metrolink tram system to Stockport town centre.

This is hugely welcome news. As your MP, I’ve been campaigning alongside local residents and Liberal Democrat councillors for years to secure better transport links for our area. Extending Metrolink to Stockport has the potential to reshape how we travel, how we grow our local economy, and how we tackle congestion and pollution. But to get this right, we need to make sure the route serves the communities that need it most.

That’s why I stood up in the House of Commons today to ask the Minister directly whether the new Metrolink extension would include a stop in Cheadle. While the Minister confirmed that the decision will lie with Greater Manchester’s local authorities, I made it clear in the chamber: the route must go through Cheadle.

To follow up, I’ve now written to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham (a copy of this letter can be seen below), setting out the full case for bringing Metrolink to Cheadle. This is more than just a tram stop – it’s about bringing proper investment, opportunity and connection to our community.

Cheadle is a thriving and ambitious part of the Stockport borough, home to growing businesses, hardworking families, and vibrant local communities. But it is currently underserved by public transport. That’s already beginning to change – after years of campaigning, we’ve secured Government support for a new railway station in Cheadle, which is now moving ahead. Adding a Metrolink stop here would take things even further.

A tram line through Cheadle would connect our neighbourhood to the rest of Greater Manchester in a fast, green and reliable way. It would create a joined-up transport hub around the new station, linking trains and trams and making it easier than ever to travel for work, education, and leisure.

It would also help reduce congestion on our roads – particularly the A34 and Manchester Road – by giving people a viable alternative to the car. And it would support the regeneration of our high streets and centres by bringing more footfall and encouraging local investment.

In my letter to the Mayor, I’ve highlighted the key reasons why a Cheadle route makes sense:

• It links key communities including Cheadle Heath, Adswood and Cheadle Village
• It supports the new rail station by creating a proper interchange
• It reduces pressure on our roads and improves air quality
• It drives growth by connecting people to jobs, shops and services

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance public transport across our borough. If we want a cleaner, more connected future for Greater Manchester, we must make sure towns like Cheadle are included in the picture.

Decisions like this must be based on long-term impact – not just what’s cheapest or easiest. That’s why I’ll keep pushing to make sure the voices of Cheadle residents are heard loud and clear in the months ahead.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. If you agree that Cheadle must be on the Metrolink map, do get in touch. Together, we can keep up the pressure and make sure this investment delivers for every part of our community.

Tom Morrison MP