West Coast To East Coast Connectivity

[flixtonman]

I have raised this issue before under a different title, and learned a lot from the knowledgeable replies. I hope it's not too soon to revisit the issue.
Is there now a better case for re-opening the line between Glazebrook East Junction and Skelton Junction to permit an hourly through service from Liverpool to Sheffield and beyond, via Stockport?
Of course, the idea doesn't begin to get off the ground unless there is any evidence of a passenger demand, However, on the assumption that there might be such a demand, the advantages might be as follows:

i) A faster journey.
(ii) Freeing paths through Manchester.
(iii) Some (albeit minor) local commuter traffic as well.

The Cadishead viaduct would have to be restored, the line from Skelton Junction to Stockport would have to be doubled in its entirety and the train would have to reverse at Stockport - but! Any other minor obstacles??

 

[Bletchleyite]

I can see the sense in restoring that line but not for passenger purposes - rather it could be used to remove freight from Castlefield.

 

[flixtonman]

Good point, and perhaps a better one than I had thought of.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Can the OP confirm the proposed routeing in the Stockport area? Are we talking about a reversal for Liverpool-Sheffield trains there?

 

[The Planner]

I can see the sense in restoring that line but not for passenger purposes - rather it could be used to remove freight from Castlefield.

Not sure how it can do that, how does it remove Trafford Park trains?

 

[A0]

I have raised this issue before under a different title, and learned a lot from the knowledgeable replies. I hope it's not too soon to revisit the issue.
Is there now a better case for re-opening the line between Glazebrook East Junction and Skelton Junction to permit an hourly through service from Liverpool to Sheffield and beyond, via Stockport?
Of course, the idea doesn't begin to get off the ground unless there is any evidence of a passenger demand, However, on the assumption that there might be such a demand, the advantages might be as follows:

i) A faster journey.
(ii) Freeing paths through Manchester.
(iii) Some (albeit minor) local commuter traffic as well.

The Cadishead viaduct would have to be restored, the line from Skelton Junction to Stockport would have to be doubled in its entirety and the train would have to reverse at Stockport - but! Any other minor obstacles??

Surely for passenger you'd end up missing Central Manchester, which would doubtless impact the viability of the service - I suspect the current Liverpool - Sheffield and beyond services are only viable because they carry an amount of traffic from Liverpool - Manchester and Manchester - Sheffield ?

Freight could go via Cheadle Heath to Hazel Grove, question is whether there's sufficient freight coming from Glazebrook area to justify it ?