Bridge rebuild to close rail line for three weeks in August

Network Rail is warning passengers of upcoming disruption on the West Coast Main Line as it progresses with the rebuild of a bridge over the line in Stockport.

The £20 million investment in the bridge will see the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line for three weeks this August, affecting journeys through Macclesfield on the route from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester.

The 67-year-old Greek Street bridge in Stockport town centre is being demolished and rebuilt over 21 days between 2nd and 22nd August. The original bridge, which was constructed in 1958 needs to be replaced with a modern structure which will last for up to 120 years.

While work is carried out, no trains will be able to run through Stockport, with rail replacement buses in operation. The railway will reopen on 23rd August. The National Rail Enquires website provides information about how specific services are affected.

William Brandon, Network Rail’s project manager, said:

“The work to strengthen Stockport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.

“I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this.

“Between 2 – the morning of 23 August, I’d advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journey.

“We have worked closely with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council on the best alternative travel plan possible for a closure of this size. I’d advise you to check your specific journey on National Rail Enquiries website to understand exactly how your services will be affected.”

The effects of the closure are far-reaching because of the critical location of the bridge. During the closure, there will be no train services on the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly, and no train services on other lines into Stockport. Some services into Manchester Piccadilly will be diverted via Crewe and Wilmslow.

Murphy, the contractor working on behalf of Network Rail, has been hard at work preparing the site for its big moment this summer.

Engineers have been working closely with utility companies to safely divert important services, such as water and electricity, out from below the road service and into a temporary bridge. This complex operation makes sure local communities have access to everything they need during the work.

In the weeks preceding the closure, the team will complete the utility diversions and deconstruct the road layer of the bridge. Once the bridge is ready to be replaced, two large cranes will be built on site ready to demolish and replace the bridge.