Drivers in Stockport have been warned of 'widespread disruption' when a town centre bridge closes for 12 months.

Network Rail engineers are planning to replace the Greek Street bridge in March 2025, blocking access through the armoury roundabout from Greek Street, Mercian Way, and Shaw Heath road until spring 2026.

Two main diversionary routes have been proposed while the work takes place, with drivers due to be sent around Garners Lane/Councillor Lane and Edgeley Road/A560. Local pedestrian diversionary routes are being planned around Thompson Street and Flint Street.

Ahead of the Greek Street bridge replacement, temporary overnight lane closures will be required on Mercian Way and Shaw Heath road south on December 14 and 21 for preliminary works.

A full road closure on Mercian Way and Shaw Heath road's northern side will be in place on Christmas Day for 24 hours to allow a crane to lift a temporary bridge into position.

The replacement is also set to impact railway services running through Stockport on the West Coast Main Line, with replacement buses being planned.

Closures at the town's station will be required from December 25 until the morning of December 27 this year, as well as for periods in April, August, October and December 2025.

Network Rail said in October that replacing the Greek Street bridge is "critical to the safety of the West Coast Main Line and the Stockport community".

Greek Street bridge is a major route linking the town centre and Edgeley, as well as creating access to Stockport College and Stockport County football ground. But its 'deteriorating condition' has left the structure at the end of its lifespan and in need of an upgrade.

The replacement is also an opportunity to safeguard a future tram link to Stockport, with 'future rapid transit options' being taken into account as part of the work.

Once the Greek Street bridge is replaced, the road will have a new layout, which the council says will create 'improved pedestrian connectivity' through the area.

The bridge structure, which is made of about 200 concrete beams, will be demolished along with the road above it during the work, and then rebuilt.

The new bridge will make sure train services along the West Coast Main Line will be 'safer and more reliable for years to come'.

Stockholm Road bridge was also due to be replaced as part of the work, but its condition has been assessed as good enough to push the work back to a later date.

Updates on the Greek Street bridge replacement can be found on Network Rail's website.

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