Abseiling engineers carry out repairs to Stockport Viaduct

A group of engineers abseiled down the side of Stockport’s iconic Grade II listed viaduct as Network Rail carries out a £1.1 million restoration of the structure.

Last year, Network Rail started the project to remove overgrowing vegetation, clean away graffiti and carry out extensive repairs to the viaduct’s 11 million bricks. Now, all of the 26 spans of Stockport Viaduct have received the VIP treatment following overnight work on Sunday 23rd February.

Overnight, the team has used rope access equipment to go over the top of the viaduct’s piers and carry out important work to restore the viaduct. Drone footage and cameras worn by Network Rail’s engineers show the landmark from a whole new perspective.

Michael Lally, Network Rail Works Delivery manager, said:

“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.” 

?To carry out this work safely, from Monday 17th February to Sunday 2nd March 2025, the M60 motorway has been closed between J27 and J1 in both directions while work takes place overhead.

Built in 1840, the viaduct carries almost 400 trains every day between the West Coast Main Line and Manchester Piccadilly. The work to restore this railway piece of heritage, comes as 2025’s Railway 200 celebrations are underway, a year-long programme of activities and events to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway.

Elsewhere in Stockport town centre, Network Rail is also beginning work to replace the Greek Street road bridge over the railway line and residents and rail passengers are advised to keep updated with the project and necessary road and track closures via the Network Rail website.