New CGI video showcases Network Rail’s plans for Greek Street bridge

Network Rail has unveiled a new CGI video of how its engineers will demolish and rebuild the bridge which carries the Greek Street roundabout across the railway line.

The video comes ahead of the current bridge’s closure to enable work to get underway. The Greek Street roundabout will be closed to traffic for one year starting from 31 March 2025. This closure is part of Network Rail’s almost £20 million investment to replace the aging bridge that crosses over the West Coast Main Line.

Olivia Boland, Network Rail sponsor, said:

“We’re replacing the Greek Street bridge in Stockport to keep the railway below and road users above safe for years to come.

“This video is a fantastic way to explain how complex the work to replace the bridge is. It brings to life this the true scale of the work required.

“We are very grateful for the cooperation of the local community during the work. I know that closing the roundabout for a year will disrupt the daily lives of the local community, and I am very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause.”

Residents are being reminded that, from 31 March, the Greek Street roundabout will be closed to traffic for one year.

Road users and pedestrians are being informed of diversionary routes during the closure. Network Rail has worked carefully with Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to establish safe and convenient diversionary routes during the major closure.

Cllr Grace Baynham, cabinet member for Parks, Highways, and Transport Services, said:

“We know this closure will be disruptive for residents, commuters, and businesses, and we don’t underestimate the impact it will have. But this work is essential to keep both the road and railway, which is one of the country’s busiest lines, safe and reliable for years to come.

“The video that has been produced shows the huge amount of work to do to replace this vital piece of infrastructure in our town centre. 

“We’re working closely with Network Rail and TfGM to keep Stockport moving, with diversion routes in place to help ease the impact. We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while this vital project is carried out.”

Over Easter 2025, work will take place to prepare the railway for the bridge’s replacement this summer. There will be changes to train services between 19-22 April 2025. Passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries before they travel. Some services will be diverted around Stockport, whilst others will be replaced with a bus.

Demolishing and rebuilding the 58-metre-wide bridge will be a complex process. Over Christmas 2024, engineers constructed a temporary bridge to reroute existing utility services such as water and electricity. Once the road is closed, the road layout will be removed carefully in a way that does not damage the bridge structure while the railway is in operation.

From 2nd to 23rd August 2025, the bridge, which is made of about 200 concrete beams, will be demolished and the new bridge will be installed.  Then, the team will redirect the utility services, waterproof the bridge, and reinstate the road to the highest standard. 

The video was produced by Bionic Group with detailed instructions and guidance from the project’s principal contractor, Murphy.