The Greater Manchester town that could get 'game-changing' new train station

A plan for a new train station for Rochdale is closer to becoming a reality. 

Rochdale council received a letter from Transport for Greater Manchester’s rail boss Simon Elliot saying leaders would consider the ‘deliverability’ of a new train station in the Belfield and Smallbridge area. There are complex challenges to overcome, but feasibility studies are in the pipeline, he added.

The letter read: “Growing and enhancing the GM rail offering remains a key priority for TfGM and such proposals for new stations are consistently appraised across key interdependent factors relating to where the station will be located.

“Applying this approach, presently, the deliverability of a new station at Belfield/Smallbridge is constrained by complex challenges, including rail operations (timetabling, train availability) as well as existing railway infrastructure. 

“However, aligned to our strategic work on the future development of Greater Manchester’s rail network, we will consider your proposal as part of any longer term feasibility studies relating to Rochdale’s connecting rail routes.”

Smalbridge and Firgrove councillor John Blundell said: “I’m so elated that a new station is being considered at Belfield as part of rail devolution. Although there are some technical constraints to get over, a new station at Belfield would get people into Victoria in 15 minutes. 

“This would be a game-changer for people hunting for work in Belfield, Smallbridge and Firgrove. It would also be easier to participate in all the cultural activities.

“It would also take a lot of traffic off the road as people wouldn’t be driving to Rochdale to get the train. They could park and ride at Belfield instead. A lot of work through Rochdale’s Stations Alliance has gone into this. Lots of lobbying to get this on the agenda as part of devolution. I’m glad it’s taking a big step towards happening.”

The former chair of the Greater Manchester Station Alliance called for Belfield, alongside Heywood and Slattocks as the three new areas for stations at a full council meeting back in April 2022.

This motion backed by the council aimed to address ‘the main concerns of people in peripheral parts of Rochdale is connectivity to Manchester and the wider conurbation’.