22.07.15
Bridge works continue for electrification preparation
Civils and structures work in preparation for electrification is continuing east of Manchester despite the postponement of the neighbouring TransPennine electrification scheme.
Network Rail is rebuilding two bridges at Granville Street and Mossley Road in Tameside to increase their clearance for the OLE.
The CP5 enhancement delivery plan, last updated in March 2015, says Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge has to be electrified in time for the December 2016 timetable change. It is part of the main £1bn North of England Programmes on the LNW route, though the section to Stalybridge missed its GRIP 3 milestone date of December 2014.
Council papers suggest the reconstruction of the bridge deck and parapets for both of these bridges was originally scheduled to be completed last year. A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “There was a delay but it was a Network Rail issue. They informed us they were temporarily halting the works and would proceed again later this year.”
Aisling Wall, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “The rebuilding of these bridges is an essential part of the electrification of the railway which will provide passengers with faster, more reliable and efficient services.
“I apologise for any disruption caused to the surrounding road network but we have worked closely with the local authority to plan the diversions and will complete the work in the quickest and safest possible way.”
Both bridges will be closed to road traffic from next week until Christmas – full details are here.
(Map at top reproduced from the Northwest Sparks website)