The Denton line Metrolink extension could turn an underused rail corridor through Denton into a vital new link between Manchester’s tram network and Stockport, under proposals now being developed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Denton line Metrolink extension plan to link Stockport
Photo: Transport for Greater Manchester

Denton line Metrolink extension at the heart of new plans

TfGM, which operates the UK’s largest light rail system, is working with the local authority on a strategic outline case for a Manchester Metrolink Stockport extension from the current terminus at East Didsbury into Stockport town centre, a proposal also described by Railway-News.

As part of this work, the partners are exploring whether the underused Denton railway line could be brought into the existing Metrolink network and used as a practical route into Stockport.

Because the strategic outline case is only the first step in the formal business case process, the focus for now is on how shared use of the existing rail corridor — which currently carries only limited main line services through Denton — might transform connectivity for residents and businesses along the proposed route.

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In this scenario, the Denton line would connect many local communities directly into the Metrolink system and, through established links, to Manchester Airport and Tameside. Supporters of the scheme see the Denton line Metrolink extension as particularly valuable for areas that have historically been harder to reach by rail.

Funding the Manchester Metrolink Stockport extension

Earlier this year, Greater Manchester secured £2.5 billion from the government through the Transport for the City Regions Fund, a funding decision covered by Railway Supply. Within this wider programme, money is being directed to a range of projects across the region, including work to identify a suitable route that would finally connect Stockport town centre to the Metrolink network. Using the Denton line is one of the options now being taken forward as part of these Stockport extension plans.

Metrolink already offers dense coverage across the city region. Around 90% of Greater Manchester’s population is currently within about a five-minute walk of a tram or bus stop that has at least a half-hourly service. The network has grown to 99 tram stops across 10 boroughs and is carrying more passengers than ever before, with 45.6 million journeys made on Manchester’s Metrolink system in 2024. Extending services to Stockport via the Denton line is intended to build on this performance and strengthen the wider network.

Under current plans, the business case that would include the Denton line as part of the Metrolink Stockport extension is expected to be submitted to the Department for Transport in 2026. It is hoped that, subject to approval and appropriate funding, work on the project could begin by 2030.

Bee Network vision and tram-train services to Denton

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham links the Denton proposals to a broader vision of “a decade of good growth” for the region. He has emphasised that developing the Bee Network and delivering better bus, tram and train connections will be fundamental to this growth story.

Burnham argues that Denton has been overlooked for too long, and that working up a tram-train option to connect Denton and the wider area to Metrolink is a major step toward unlocking new opportunities for residents and businesses. He also reiterates a commitment to extending Metrolink to Stockport and beyond, as part of efforts to connect all districts to the tram network and deliver a fully integrated transport system.

Andrew Gwynne, Member of Parliament for Gorton & Denton, notes that he has campaigned for years with the local community for improved transport links to Denton and across the constituency. He welcomes the fact that, as part of the Metrolink extension plans, TfGM is now seriously considering using the existing rail line for tram-train services to Denton.

In his view, improved connectivity is key to opening up opportunities for people and communities and to supporting growth ambitions across the city region. Gwynne says that using the Denton line within the Manchester Metrolink Stockport extension could be transformative for the local area, by improving connectivity and supporting growth across the area.

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