Contractor Murphy completes Greek Street bridge replacement
Network Rail has invested £20m in the critical year-long infrastructure project, a four-way roundabout joining central Stockport to Edgeley by road over the mainline railway.
Traffic restrictions were lifted on Friday evening at the four-way junction.
The former 67-year-old structure was removed last August, and has now been replaced with a new bridge comprised of 51 structural elements, all lifted in by crane during a 21-day railway closure.
Since that part of the programme, work to reinstate carriageways, buried utilities such as drainage, power cables and gas and water mains has taken place.
Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This was essential maintenance work that couldn’t be avoided, and completing it now has helped future‑proof a vital part of our transport network so it remains safe and reliable for years to come.
“Restoring this key route will make a real difference for residents, commuters and local businesses, and I want to thank everyone for their patience and support over the past 12 months.
“Completing this project is another step forward in our wider transport vision, strengthening connectivity and helping us build a transport network, incorporating Metrolink, that works for everyone.”
As part of the project, a mosaic which was part of the former bridge was retained and reinstalled on the new structure.
The work in Stockport is part of Network Rail’s major investment programme into the West Coast Main Line, which will see £400m improvements to Europe’s busiest mixed-use passenger and freight railway lines over the next year.
The previous bridge reached the end of its life in 2025. Credit: Network Rail
Patrick Vallely, Network Rail capital delivery head of buildings and civils, said: “Replacing Greek Street bridge was a massive feat of civil engineering which has impacted people right across Stockport for over a year, so I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone for bearing with us.
“This essential project now secures the future of this structure and will provide a safe and reliable road and railway network for decades to come.”
Jamie Rothwell, transportation managing director at contractor Murphy, said: “This project is testament to the expertise and collaboration between the Murphy and Network Rail team, and our supply chain partners, who all worked together to realise this complex and critical upgrade.”
Shame they didn’t manage to come up with a new layout that could better reflect modern design standards and incorporate proper cycling facilities. Oh well, perhaps they’ll put it right when it needs replacing again in another 70 years.
By Anonymous
Missed opportunity here to deliver much needed active travel interventions as part of the design, backwards Stockport
By anon 3
Anon 11:34, there’s a new cycling and pedestrian bridge about 25 meters from the roundabout!
By Anonymous
Anon: Too much is done for cyclists nowadays what about other road users, particularly pedestrians.
You only have to look at that monstrosity on Etchells Road near John Lewis to see that cyclists have been put at the top of the hierarchy for active travel to the detriment of everyone else.
By Anonymous
Anon 12:43, how does that bridge help you if you’re travelling from Shaw Heath south of the roudabout down to King Street West?
By Anonymous
Hope they look to incorporate some greenery and fix the potholes on surrounding roads exacerbated by all the ‘rat-running’ as well.
By Anonymous
Anon @1.22pm – It shouldn’t be one or the other. In any case, better cycling facilities are good for pedestrians because by providing a viable alternative to driving they reduce the number of cars. By providing a safe alternative to riding on the road they reduce the likelihood that cyclists will feel it necessary to use the pedestrian paths. A failure to provide better cycling facilities (when there was a good opportunity to do so) is a failure to maximise the benefits of the scheme for everyone.
By Anonymous
“Too much is done for cyclists.” Said no-one ever who has tried to cycle on the roads of this country. I’d challenge anyone spouting this stuff to spend a day riding the roads and tell me how safe they feel. That is not to say more should not be done for pedestrians as well, but there’s a car-centric approach to transport in this country which needs to change and the legacy of which is going to take a long time to deal with.
By Green Belt Ben