Work on Stockport Viaduct nears completion

Work has begun on the remaining three arches of Stockport viaduct that spans the M60 motorway. Last night (Sunday 23 February) Network Rail engineers continued to abseil down from the piers above to resume work on the grade II structures GBP1.1m restoration. Until recently, Network Rail had already restored the other 23 arches, leaving these three till last when permission to close the M60 below was granted.

A train passes over Stockport Viaduct just before Network Rail take possession of the viaduct to carry out another night of work // Credit: Network Rail

At present the work on the three remaining arches has reached the halfway point with work having begun on Monday February 17, there are currently daily night time closures of the M60 in place between Junction 27 and Junction 1 in both directions[1] from 10pm to 6am each night and this will remain the case until this coming Sunday March 2, when the work on the viaduct arches will be complete and the Motorway will reopen fully.

With over 11 million bricks to assess along with removal of self seeded vegetation and graffiti this project is no mean feat, built in 1840 the viaduct is an import part of the national rail network carrying 400 trains per day including direct trains from London Euston to Manchester.

Looking down on the works from a drone // Credit: Network Rail

The restoration of this 185-year-old structure is prevalent to restoring pieces of railway heritages as part of the Railway 200 celebrations which are taking part across the county this year. Once work is complete on Sunday evening, Network Rail engineers will turn their attention to the replacing the nearby Greek Street Bridge. Work on this extensive project will start at the end of March.[2]

"The team have done a fantastic job this week carrying out important repairs to the viaduct arches that cross the M60 in Stockport. This is the final stage of the project, which started last year. The recent work means the overall appearance of the viaduct is much improved, but it also reduces the risk of damage caused by overgrown vegetation and graffiti.

Managing plant growth on viaducts such as this is important in maintaining train performance as trees and shrubs can obscure signals and interfere with the overhead lines that power trains."

Michael Lally, Network Rail Works Delivery manager

References

1. ^ there are currently daily night time closures of the M60 in place between Junction 27 and Junction 1 in both directions (www.railadvent.co.uk)
2. ^ Network Rail engineers will turn their attention to the replacing the nearby Greek Street Bridge.

   Work on this extensive project will start at the end of March. (www.railadvent.co.uk)