The Mancunian Way: Next stop Stockport?

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Stockport could be about to get the Metrolink. I know, I know… those words have been written several times in recent years.

But this time it might be for real. “There is reason to believe that, within a month, it will finally be confirmed the borough WILL finally see trams run through,” writes Ethan Davies.

Newly re-elected mayor Andy Burnham said on Thursday morning that ‘we are about to say more on’ Metrolink expansion plans. Under further questioning on BBC Radio Manchester, the mayor said he ‘would like to see them built in the decade’ and also said ‘the new Stockport Interchange has been built with tram capability’.

So, where might the line go? Ethan has examined previous proposals and dormant lines and infrastructure to put together a detailed evaluation of its route and potential stops.

You can read his thoughts here.

Many of you will be reading today’s newsletter while working from home, hybrid or full-time remote working having become commonplace since the pandemic.

But one of Greater Manchester’s biggest companies is rowing back on its WFH arrangements. And staff are not best pleased.

Workers at the headquarters of Bury-based JD Sports say they have been told working from home has been cancelled. They say all workers have been told they are expected to come to the office from the summer, even though some people joined the company with the promise that they would not have to attend the office full time.

They fear that the move back to the office is part of increasing ‘micromanagement’ following a ‘loss in profits’.

A source close to JD told the M.E.N.: "JD’s temporary hybrid policy was introduced in response to the global pandemic, and JD contracts in general