I am from Stockport and a MAN local (3 miles away) but still use LPL on a regular basis.
Usually for cheap flights to Spain and more recently on business trips to Lisbon or should I say returning from business in Lisbon with easyjet (I still use TAP outbound from MAN.
Having the choice is great but one thing that is really beginning to get my back up is the bus service to the Parkway station, Its not frequent enough and it always seems to get into the bus stop at the station as my direct train to Stockport is leaving, meaning an hours wait for the next one or the all stops to Manchester which takes forever.