Stockport railway station and its surrounding area faced a significant emergency response on Tuesday, November 4, following concerns over a 'suspicious' item found on a bridge near Greek Street. The incident, which unfolded shortly before 6pm, led to the evacuation of the station, the implementation of a 200-metre cordon, and widespread disruption to rail services and local residents.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP), alongside the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, fire crews, and paramedics, rushed to the scene after reports of an abandoned suitcase on a footbridge over the railway line. This major emergency presence brought central Stockport to a standstill, prompting immediate action to ensure public safety.

As a precautionary measure, Stockport station and the nearby Stockport Interchange were evacuated, with officers advising approximately 50 people to leave immediately, leading to scenes described by witnesses as 'chaos' and 'panic'. Nearby homes on Greek Street were also evacuated. Passengers on various train services were left trapped on lines approaching Stockport, with some trains being held in darkness for extended periods, such as one service bound for Piccadilly which stopped shortly after Wilmslow.

The incident led to severe travel disruption, with Northern Rail issuing a "Do Not Travel" warning for several lines, including Manchester Piccadilly to Chester, Stoke, Alderley Edge/Crewe, and Hazel Grove/Buxton. Avanti West Coast also advised customers not to travel to Stockport. Services were cancelled or delayed by up to 45 minutes, with some trains diverting via Styal and many stations between Stockport and Handforth not being served. Passengers were encouraged to seek alternative routes or await rail replacement buses, which had limited availability.

Eyewitness accounts highlighted the tension of the situation. Liam Smith, who was at Stockport Interchange, recounted police telling people to evacuate, describing "approximately 50 of us running out of the interchange, followed by the police." Daniel Fitton, a passenger on a halted train, recalled the train manager announcing a "potential bomb threat" before clarifying it was a "suspicious package on a bridge," causing further delays.

Throughout the three-hour incident, emergency services remained on high alert. Firefighters from Stockport, Whitehill, and Ashton's technical rescue unit worked with GMP and Network Rail to secure the area. People displaced by the cordon were advised to seek shelter in the nearby Army Reserve Centre on Armoury Street, as well as the Armoury Pub.

Fortunately, at approximately 9pm, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the 'suspicious' item had been examined by the EOD unit and was found to be an empty suitcase, posing no threat. The cordons were subsequently lifted, and the railway line reopened in both directions, although delays to train services were expected to continue into the evening. A GMP spokesperson expressed gratitude for everyone's patience during the incident, which ultimately concluded without harm.