Train station returning to village after more than 100 years

Work is beginning on bringing a train station back to the heart of a Greater Manchester village more than a century after its original station closed.

Cheadle in Stockport had a station just off the high street up until 1917.

Funding for a new hub, which would be built next to Alexandra Hospital, was given the green light in 2022, with planning permission granted in 2023 but concerns about its effect on the timetabling of trains elsewhere on the network led to delays.

Stockport Council said the issue had now been resolved and council leader Mark Roberts said it was "a hugely significant moment for Cheadle and for Stockport".

"For years we've fought for this station because we know the difference it will make to residents, businesses and the future prosperity of the area," he added.

Roberts said he was delighted that the initial highways work could now start on site thanks to the persistence and partnership of all involved.

Services are expected to run from Cheadle into Stockport town, Manchester Piccadilly and Chester, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The project had been held up by an unresolved timetabling issue over concerns the new station could impact trains elsewhere on the network, with a previous proposal made to remove services at Ashley and Plumley.

Stockport Council said the latest assessment by Network Rail and Northern Trains concluded that Cheadle Station could be introduced without removing a significant barrier that had put the project at risk and these plans have now been dropped.

Brian Bradley, chair of the Cheadle Towns Fund Board, said it was "a fantastic milestone for Cheadle and a moment that many people have worked hard to achieve over a number of years".

Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said getting to this point had been a real team effort, adding: "Cheadle has waited more than 100 years for a station, and now it's finally happening."

"It will connect our 23,000 residents to jobs, schools and opportunities across Greater Manchester, and take traffic off our busy roads."

Cheadle Hulme North councillor David Meller, who helped kickstart the plans for the new station, said: "To see that we're finally there is incredible."

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