Listed bridge restoration begins

May and June will see road closures in Manchester city centre as three grade two-listed bridges are repaired and repainted.

The structures are over Great Ducie Street and Victoria Street, to the west of Manchester Victoria station.

Victoria Street will be fully closed to road traffic from 3 May to 20 May, and Mirabel Street has been closed at the Victoria Street junction until the end of June.

While diversions for traffic will be in place during the road closures, pedestrian access will not be affected and trains will continue to run as normal.

Sarah Padmore, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “As part of the Great North Rail Project, we are carrying out vital repair work to three bridge structures which support the railway on the western side of Manchester Victoria station.

“To safely access and repair sections of the bridges directly above the road, we need to close Victoria Street once more.

“I’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank local people and road users in advance for their patience while we deliver this essential work.”

The bridges are being grit blasted to expose the metal structures, allowing engineers to carry out repairs before repainting.