A £1 million restoration project on Stockport Viaduct is set to finish in March, but will require a 13-night closure of the M60 motorway for final repairs. Engineers will abseil down the historic structure to complete work on the remaining arches.
A £1 million project to restore Stockport Viaduct to its former glory is nearing completion in March, but it will require the closure of the M60 motorway for 13 nights. Network Rail commenced work on the grade II-listed structure last year, focusing on removing excessive vegetation, cleaning graffiti, and repairing the viaduct's 11 million bricks. Progress has been made with 23 out of the 26 arches already repaired.
However, engineers are planning to abseil down the 550-meter-long, 34-meter-tall structure to finish the remaining work. This will take place from February 17 to March 2, during which the M60 will be closed between junctions 27 and 1 in both directions, with overnight closures from 10 pm to 6 am.Network Rail assures that diversion routes are being established, and signs will guide drivers throughout this period. Built in 1840, the viaduct carries nearly 400 trains daily between the West Coast Main Line and Manchester Piccadilly. Concerns regarding the structure's condition emerged late in 2023. A Network Rail planning application submitted to Stockport council revealed that damage across the viaduct 'may affect its load bearing capacity' if left untreated due to 'multiple defects'. The application also warned that crumbling brickwork, known as spalling, could 'present a safety risk to people and property below'.Stockport council's parks, highways, and transport lead, Coun Grace Baynham, warmly welcomed the improvements to the town's 'iconic' and 'much loved' landmark. She stated that with the ongoing £1 billion regeneration of the town center, it's crucial for historical, listed landmarks to appear their best. Baynham expressed confidence that residents and visitors have witnessed the improvement in areas already completed and appreciated everyone's patience during this final stage of the project. Stockport MP Navendu Mishra also shared his delight regarding the cleaning and repairs of Stockport Viaduct. He has previously voiced concerns about the viaduct's condition in Parliament and advocated for funding to cover cleaning, maintenance, and repair costs for this significant infrastructure. He congratulated Network Rail for undertaking this substantial revamp project, which will benefit those who live, work, and travel through Stockport.Network Rail's principal route engineer for the North West route, Rob Stephens, emphasized that the work will secure the viaduct's future and minimize the risk of further damage. Stephens highlighted the viaduct's cultural heritage importance for both the railway and the Stockport community. He explained that the final stage of the project is scheduled for February to minimize inconvenience for Stockport residents during the necessary nighttime road closure. Stephens added that the recent work significantly enhances the viaduct's overall appearance while reducing the risk of damage caused by overgrown vegetation and graffiti. He stressed the importance of managing plant growth on viaducts like this one, as trees and shrubs can obscure signals and interfere with the overhead lines that power trains, impacting train performance
Infrastructure Restoration Stockport Viaduct M60 Closure Network Rail Transport Heritage
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