The short branch to Rose Hill itself was reprieved by the then Minister of Transport Richard Marsh in 1969, when granting permission to close the rest of the route.

A further branch, opened in 1869, led to Stockport Tiviot Dale station; at one time, this route carried through trains between Derby and Manchester Central[4] but it was closed to passenger services in January 1967 and much of the line was lifted in 1983.

The station has a long line public address system providing automated announcements and digital information displays to offer train running details (these can also be obtained by phone or from timetable posters).

The line would have effectively been run as a 'turn up and go' operation, offering users of stations along the route the ease of showing up without generally needing to know exact departure times.

Romiley railway station was also planned to become an official TIF Park & Ride interchange under the proposals, which faced a public referendum in December 2008.