Council outlines proposals for Greek Street railway bridge

Following recommendations from Network Rail that the Greek Street bridge over the railway line in Stockport town centre will require replacement by 2024, Stockport Council has outlined its proposals for the new bridge that will improve access into the town centre.

The council has revealed its preferred option for a replacement Greek Street bridge would maintain it as a key crossing over the railway line for cars, while also improving walking and cycling access. Plans for improving walking and cycling links between Stockport town centre and Edgeley are currently out for public consultation and include improved access along Greek Street for links to the College and Royal George Village development. Upgrades to the bridge also form part of Stockport Council’s programme of improvement works to the area surrounding Stockport Railway Station (pictured).

Additionally, the bridge has been earmarked as the ideal point for a future Metrolink extension into Stockport to cross from Edgeley to connect with the bus terminus at Stockport Interchange. Under the council’s proposals, a new bridge will be constructed alongside the old one to minimise disruption, with the new structure futureproofed to allow Metrolink services to cross. The bridge is expected to cost between £23 and 28 million to deliver, with costings including a Metrolink tunnel under King Street West, new road realignments and walking and cycling route improvements.

Of the estimated £28 million, Network Rail would contribute £5.7 million, with additional contributions of up to £22.3 million from Transport for Greater Manchester should the Metrolink extension into Stockport be approved, with the remainder coming from the Transforming Cities 2 and other funds.

Alternative options put forward by the council include a similar option that would see the existing bridge replaced in-situ, requiring significant traffic disruption as the Greek Street route of the railway line would need to close, but still including space for the Metrolink extension. A third option would see a like-for-link replacement of the existing bridge, with any considerations for a future tram connection needing to be added at a later date.

A business case for a £1 billion extension of the Metrolink is currently being prepared that will see the South Manchester line, currently terminating in East Didsbury, extended into Stockport town centre. A significant portion of the cost of the extension owes to the engineering challenges of building a new crossing over the river Mersey.