Council leader renews Metrolink expansion call

Councillor Mark Roberts says it is Stockport's "turn" for a tram link

The new leader of Stockport Council has stepped up calls for the borough to join Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram network.

Mark Roberts was appointed to the top job at the Lib Dem-controlled local authority last week, having previously served as its deputy leader.

He urged the government to "put its money where its mouth is" to get trams rolling into Stockport town centre.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Treasury have both been approached for comment.

'Spending review'

"We are banging the table to say that it is Stockport's turn," Roberts told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Stockport has contributed towards Metrolink for enough years now and not seen it delivered yet."

Were Metrolink to be expanded, Stockport could be connected to the East Didsbury line in south Manchester.

Last year, TfGM said it was drawing up a business case for such a move.

"Metrolink to Stockport would be a game changer," said Roberts.

"It's not just something that Stockport needs, it's what Metrolink and that transport network needs.

"It needs to be plugging into Stockport, and getting those benefits for the whole of Greater Manchester."

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, who visited Stockport in February, said any decisions on funding future transport projects "would be a matter for the [government's] spending review".