Huge disruption is expected across Stockport due to major engineering work being planned – and it could last nine months.

Network Rail is planning to replace Greek Street Bridge, which supports the Armoury roundabout, as well as Stockholm Road Bridge – due to their deteriorating condition.

Both are road over rail bridges and major routes for cars in the town. There are concerns that the disruption at The Armoury roundabout could result in cars having to use residential streets to cross the borough.

The work is expected to begin in early 2025 and take around nine months to complete in total, impacting traffic and pedestrians in Stockport.

The plan was put before the Communities and Transport Scrutiny Committee on Monday October 9, where Councillor Matt Wynne, leader of the Edgeley Community Association, urged the council and Network Rail to think ahead to minimise the disruption.

He said: "What's being planned for the Armoury roundabout is probably going to be the most significant civil engineering project that we've seen in this borough in the central Stockport area since the M60 being built in terms of disruption and the knock-on effect.

"It's going to have massive implications for local businesses for what the arrangements are going to be on match days at Stockport County. Potentially we're going to be herding thousands of fans through residential areas and the main housing estate in Edgeley.

"I'd like to see us really getting ahead on this, we can't have it come around and hit us. We really need to keep local members informed."

The replacement of the bridges is a key element in the redevelopment of Stockport as they link the town centre, railway station, and Edgeley. It is also a key area for future plans by Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport council to provide space to bring the Metrolink to the borough and link it to Manchester Airport and East Didsbury.

Temporary measures have been put in place to protect them before improvements can take place. Funding for most of the work will come from Network Rail but the council is expected to cover five per cent of the cost, which amounts to between £15 million and £20 million.

Lib Dem councillor Grace Baynham, Stockport's cabinet member for parks, highways and transport Services, said: "We're not underestimating the disruption that this is going to cause to the whole borough. Places like Edgeley are going to be especially affected but everywhere is going to have some effect from this.

"We can bring the diversion plan to this committee for a look before the work goes ahead."

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