A Victorian bridge in Walkden is set to receive six months of essential maintenance repairs to ensure its survival.
Railway Bridge No. 7, which carries the A580 East Lancashire Road over the disused Eccles, Tyldesley and Wigan railway line, at the junction of the A575 Walkden Road, is set to receive a new corrugated steel arch structure this July.
If left untreated, the concrete bridge could reduce the load carrying capacity of the road bridge with a huge impact on traffic using the junction. Concrete could also fall from the bridge posing a risk to walkers and cyclists using the Tyldesley loopline below.
Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable neighbourhood said: “The alternative would be to repair and waterproof the bridge which would mean months of disruption to motorists with contraflows on the A580 and either partial or complete closure of the A575 to allow contractors to work safely.
“[The steel arch] will safeguard the bridge for the next 120 years and is a low maintenance option which means less disruption in the long run once the work is complete.”
A contract to repair the bridge has been agreed upon with a Greater Manchester-based, accredited Living Wage employer.
Walkers and cyclists will be diverted over the bridge, rejoining the route on the other side of the A580.
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