Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential economic benefits of the extension of the Metrolink tram system into Stockport town centre.

Light rail is a devolved matter in England and it is for local authorities to develop proposals for potential new schemes, including cost estimates and appraisals of economic benefits.

Local authorities are best placed to assess place-based transport challenges and opportunities, and prioritise schemes accordingly while being accountable to the public.

The Department for Transport is providing £1.07 billion to Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) between 2022/23 and 2026/27 through Greater Manchester’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. This includes funding for transformational local transport projects prioritised by GMCA.