Major safety improvements set to start on Lancashire Hill bridge

Highways England has announced it is set to begin work to improve safety on the Lancashire Hill bridge over the M60 in Stockport town centre.

Work will begin on the bridge, which crosses the motorway between junctions 1 and 27, on 16 August and should be completed by mid-November. Improvement works will enhance safety for road users, cyclists and pedestrians who use the bridge to cross the M60.

Highways England assistant project manager Subeyda Fiqow said:

“Lancashire Hill bridge is a popular structure, and those who use it will benefit from these essential safety improvements. Access for cyclists and pedestrians will be maintained throughout the project.

“At times we will need to close the M60 and the bridge to motorists to ensure the work is carried out safely, however we aim to minimise disruption by doing it in phases and putting clearly-signed diversions in place. I want to thank people for their patience while we work to create safer journeys.”

The first phase, which runs from 16 August to 9 September, will see the introduction of scaffolding around the entire bridge and an enclosed work site. Overnight closures (9pm to 5am) on the M60 and Lancashire Hill will be in place at:

• M60 clockwise between junctions 26 and 1, from 21 August to 31 August
• M60 anti-clockwise between junctions 1 and 25, from 1 September to 9 September
• Lancashire Hill between Great Egerton Street and Penny Lane, from 16 August to 10 September

Lancashire Hill northbound will also be closed during the day throughout the first phase of work.

In the second phase, from 10 September to 25 October, the current barrier will be replaced. This requires a 24-hour closure on both sides of the bridge between Great Egerton Street and Penny Lane.

Phase three, between 26 October and 10 November, sees the removal of the scaffolding and enclosed work site. To complete the project safely, the following overnight closures will be in place between 9pm and 5am:

• M60 clockwise between junctions 26 and 1, from 26 October to 1 November
• M60 anti-clockwise between junctions 1 and 25, from 2 November to 8 November
• Lancashire Hill between Great Egerton Street and Penny Lane – 26 October to 10 November

Lancashire Hill northbound will again be closed during the day throughout this final stage. The work is weather-dependent.

For information about the bus services impacted by the safety improvements, look out for signs in advance of the work or visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website.