Stunning images reveal huge operation to replace Stockport railway bridge

Network Rail have revealed stunning images of ongoing work to replace a 67-year-old bridge over the West Coast Mainline in Stockport.

The town's railway station was closed 10 days ago and trains are being diverted as engineers replace 200-yaer-old concrete beams.

The bridge, which carries the Greek Street roundabout over the railway line, has now been fully removed.

Lifted by two huge cranes, with a combined capacity of 1300 tonnes, the redundant bridge beams were carefully placed to the ground and taken off site by a fleet of 67 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Stunning images reveal huge operation to replace Stockport railway bridge

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The site without the beams

Teams have had to lift out 200-year-old concrete beams which are no longer fit for purpose

An old beam is lifted out out

Teams of engineers lift out an old beam, as work begins to replace the bridge

100 engineers a day are on site

The effects of the closure are far-reaching because of the critical location of the bridge.
During the closure, there are no train services on the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly, and no train services on other lines into Stockport.
Where possible, services are being diverted around Stockport.

The site without the beams

Teams have had to lift out 200-year-old concrete beams which are no longer fit for purpose

An old beam is lifted out out

Teams of engineers lift out an old beam, as work begins to replace the bridge

100 engineers a day are on site

The effects of the closure are far-reaching because of the critical location of the bridge.
During the closure, there are no train services on the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly, and no train services on other lines into Stockport.
Where possible, services are being diverted around Stockport.

The site without the beams

Teams have had to lift out 200-year-old concrete beams which are no longer fit for purpose

With a 60m cavernous gap where the old bridge used to be, the team can now prepare to install the new bridge this week.

The new bridge structure is made up of 51 parts* which will be moved into their final position by the two crawler cranes, which have a maximum hoisting height of 196m.

William Brandon, Network Rail’s project manager, said: “After years of planning it is fantastic to see the work at Greek Street get off to such a good start.

"The team on site are doing a great job, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the new bridge installed within the next two weeks.

“Once the railway reopens, journeys for passengers will be safer and more reliable for the next 120 years.

"This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the West Coast Main Line for future generations."

The station is set to reopen on August 23.

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