Stockport Viaduct lined up for repairs
Warning that current defects in the grade two-listed railway bridge present a safety risk, Network Rail has submitted an application to fix spalled brickwork and transverse fractures on the 183-year-old structure.
“The proposed development is considered necessary to improve and extend the safe operation of the viaduct, which in turn preserves the buildings character and use,” the rail company wrote in a planning statement.
Network Rail said that if repairs are not made to Stockport Viaduct, the defects could impact the viaduct’s load bearing capacity.
Network Rail stated in its application to Stockport Council that the repairs are necessary due to the age and natural deterioation of the arches on the viaduct. In addition to repairing brickwork, the application also requests permission to clean drainage gutters and to remove graffiti and vegetation.
The Stockport Viaduct spans the valley of the River Mersey, carrying the West Coast Main Line between Stockport station and Heaton Chapel station. The viaduct is 33 metres high and crosses over the River Mersey, M60, and many carriageways, business properties, and footpaths.
You can learn more about the proposed repairs by searching application reference number DC/090571 on the Stockport Council planning portal.
Does this include removing all the plants and trees growing out of it? For something we’re all supposedly so proud of, we don’t half let it look a state.
By Tom
Hi Tom! The application does, indeed, include the removal of the plants growing out of the viaduct – as well as the graffiti covering parts of it.
By Julia Hatmaker
Thanks Julia! Great news 🙂
By Tom
Good news, Stockport is on the up! It’ll be my go to night out now after the shocking level of violence I witnessed in Manchester on NYE
By DH
The sooner the better
By D Huddleston
All due to lack of maintenance that’s why it’s in disrepair same old story for some reason people think maintenance is not necessary till it starts to fall apart then it costs an arm and a leg to do the work
By Kevin
Can we have the same treatment for the railway arches running through Manchester City Centre please? There are more plants and weeds growing out of them than in the local park.
By Manc Man
Funny how it now needs to be spruced up, ready for weir mill so it’s not an eye sore when attracting new residents, can we have the overgrowth & drainage sorted in the central reservation in the dip of the M60 between bredbury & m67 junc then the motorway won’t flood & cause traffic issues
By TC
Will this be like what happened many years ago when put scaffolding down one side to clean up with shot blast and never got around to do the opposite side .this should be done in a proper way .this has a lot of history for stockport and ashame it’s being hidden but the new builds.
By Andrew
A bit of a shame the viaduct needs work before HS2 eventually gets to Manchester in 2070
By Levelling Up Manager
Finally, something’s going to be done to repair an ‘Iconic’ piece of engineering. Don’t ruin this or, many people may not be happy. It’s a ‘Grade 1’ listed build. Think 🤔 of how it was built then, & what is used now as you clean it.
By Anonymous
Great news.
I often feel like this is such a poorly maintained icon for Stockport I was internally begging for some refurbishment to happen.
Most of the work was doing when this was built. Superb piece of infrastructure.
The removal of the weeds/Buddleia is welcome.
Might we see some new lighting to really make this sing?
By David
About time the remedial cleaning of vegetation and graffiti is now to go ahead it should have been started last year .
By Christopherjordan
This is such an iconic structure in Stockport and part of our history, the repairs should be a priority.
It was improved when the lights were fitted many years ago.
By Mike Bridge
The viaduct has been well overdue for maintenance.and is it only being done now because the have realised it is going to be an eyesore, looking out from your new fancy apartments, which was the old bus station. The structure could look really good if it is done well and lit up.this should have been done years ago. only now have they realised it will be an eyesore looking out of your apartment and they need to sale them. glad The viaduct is getting done tho. it’s part of Stockport Heritage.
By Jason Johnson
Knock it down and replace with modern bridge.
By Anonymous