The promoters of a scheme to redouble the single line sections of the Mid-Cheshire line between Altrincham and Stockport submitted a proposal to the Department for Transport Restoring Your Railway Fund, Round 2. An award from this fund enables a scheme promoter to make progress towards developing a business case. The scheme also proposes the reopening of intermediate stations between Altrincham and Stockport, at Baguley, Northenden, and Cheadle. As at 17 October 2020, successful Round 2 proposals have not yet been announced.

Another submission to the DfT was named “To repurpose the Warrington to Stockport line”. We have been unable to unearth any information about this proposal.

Map by Alan Young of Glazebrook - Stockport line, 1960

Map created by Alan Young and used with his permission | Disused Stations website
Northern Rail network map extract showing Manchester Piccadilly - Stockport - Altrincham - Chester line

Driver’s eye view of the 08:41 train from Manchester Piccadilly to Chester train via Stockport, Altrincham and the Mid-Cheshire line | Train departs Stockport at 12:10 and Altrincham at 27:25 | Video by Don Coffee | Watch video on YouTube (1:18:38)

Overview of Greater Manchester reopening schemes

Read about Gamesley station Read about the Rose Hill Marple – Hazel Grove line Read about Golburne station Read about Kenyon Junction station Read about the Altrincham – Stockport line Read about the Glazebrook Junction – Skelton Junction line Read about the East Didsbury – Stockport line Read about the Manchester Piccadilly – Ashton – Stockport line Read about the Oldham Mumps – Greenfield line Read about the Bury – Heywood – Rochdale line Read about the Bury – Rawtenstall line Read about the Bolton – Bury line Read about the Bolton – Radcliffe line Read about the Bolton – Walkden line

Further reading

Beeching Reversal – Re-Doubling Of The Mid Cheshire Line Between Stockport and Altrincham And Associated Station Reopenings, on The Anonymous Widower website

Mid-Cheshire: victim of its own success? by Steve Broadbent, in Rail magazine, 25 December 2013 – 7 January 2014 (pdf; 4pp)

Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership

Mid-Cheshire line – Wikipedia

Stockport, Timperley and Altrincham Junction Railway – Wikipedia