Stockport outlines plan for £23m Greek Street bridge

Replacing the existing bridge and constructing a tunnel to accommodate the potential extension of the Metrolink network is the council’s preferred option. 

Network Rail has informed the council that the existing bridge, which traverses the railway line, has a limited life span and needs to be replaced by March 2024. 

Under Stockport’s proposals, the replacement road bridge would be constructed to the south of the existing structure on Greek Street prior to the demolition of the original bridge, according to a report to the council’s economy and regeneration scrutiny committee. 

This would ensure one of the bridges is available for use throughout the works, helping to minimise disruption, the report states. 

In addition, the bridge would be “future-proofed to accommodate the Metrolink proposals” by providing a tunnel to the west of the new bridge under plans to extend the light rail network. 

Stockport Council revealed in January 2020 that the town was requesting up to £1bn from the Government to back the extension of the line from East Didsbury.

The council’s preferred option for the Greek Street bridge project would require land acquisition and building demolition, the authority said.

Cityheart is partnering with Rise Homes to deliver the residential element of Stockport Interchange

The project, estimated to cost between £23m and £28m, forms part of the local authority’s £550m station masterplan. 

The Greek Street scheme would be funded by Network Rail, Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester. 

Network Rail would contribute £5.7m, with the council and TfGM funding the balance of between £17.3m and £22.3m through the Transforming Cities Fund and other future grant contributions. 

The council has already secured a £7m allocation from the Transforming Cities Fund. 

“The replacement of such a structure within such a constrained location is complex and costs are substantial,” according to Stockport Council. 

Elsewhere in the town, the council has provided an update on its Stockport Interchange project, a scheme that will see the redevelopment of the existing town centre bus station into modern transport interchange.

Demolition of the bus station is to start in September, the council said.

The main construction phase of the project is due to begin in December, with Willmott Dixon lined up to carry out the project. The residential element of the scheme, to be delivered by a joint venture between Cityheart and Rise Homes, comprises 198 apartments and is due to complete in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The transport interchange is to complete in early 2024 alongside a new public park, according to the council.