Stockport residents reminded of major Greek Street roundabout closure

The Greek Street roundabout will be closed to traffic for one year starting from 31 March 2025 as Network Rail begins work on replacing the bridge over the railway line.

Network Rail is investing £16 million in replacing the bridge which has carried traffic across the West Coast Main Line since 1958 and has now reached the end of its life.

From 31 March, the Greek Street roundabout will be closed to traffic for one year while work gets underway. A temporary scaffold was constructed over Christmas to carry services that pass under the road surface and ensure water, gas and power supplies are not disrupted.

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. 

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.

“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 the local community, and I am very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause.

“We have worked closely with Stockport Council and TfGM to make road, pedestrian, and bus diversions as convenient as possible. I’d advise you to please follow the official diversionary routes, which can be found on the Network Rail website.”

Cllr Grace Baynham, Stockport Council’s 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 safe and reliable for years to come.

“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.”

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s chief network officer, said:

“Whilst all buses that usually use Greek Street will have to be diverted from their usual route while these essential works are taking place, we are working closely with partners to ensure travel disruption is kept to a minimum. The nature of the works means that diversion routes may sometimes need to change so please check the Bee Network website or app for further information to help you make your journey.”

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 2 – 23 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.? 

Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport, said:

“The essential work being undertaken by Network Rail to the Greek Street roundabout is a major engineering project. I acknowledge the impact to the community will be significant during the closure of the roundabout, but the investment is welcomed and is critical for the long-term future of the railway bridge. 

 “Network Rail have held consultation events, and I encourage them to continue their engagement during the closure with residents, businesses and other stakeholders.”