Media centre

Wednesday 27 Jul 2011

ABSEILERS TACKLE TOWERING VIADUCT

Region & Route:

Everyone has to weed their garden from time to time – but what do you do when it’s 111 feet up in the air and made of 11m bricks? That’s the problem faced by Network Rail when it comes to removing vegetation from Stockport’s railway viaduct. The 27-arch viaduct also straddles a river, a motorway and several smaller roads.

The answer according to Birse Rail, which has got the contract to do the work, is a combination of very big cherry-pickers working at ground level and abseilers dangling from the top.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: “The last time the viaduct was spruced up was in 1989. Since then buddleia has taken hold, and while it may be very good for butterflies, it can cause us real problems.

“Its prominent position in the town centre and under the flight path to Manchester Airport means it is seen by millions of people, so we want to clean it up and give a good impression of both the railway and Stockport as a whole.”

During the project, vegetation will be removed and treated to prevent its re-growth, and the brick and stone work repaired.

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Transportation, said: “Stockport Viaduct is an iconic regional landmark and a fantastic example of 19^th century engineering which has stood the test of time. The Council fully supports the necessary clean up work being undertaken by Network Rail.

“Some of the work is being carried out during the school holidays so as to minimise any disruption. We would like to thank road users for their patience while this work is carried out and ensure them that everything is being done to minimise any disruption.”

As the work progresses, a number of traffic management measures will be needed. This will include full or half road closures, temporary traffic lights for short periods of time and night time operations as the work crosses over Daw Bank, Chestergate, Heaton Lane, Great Egerton Street and the M60.

None of the road closures will last for the duration of the work and where necessary, signed diversions have been agreed with Stockport Council.

Work on the £1m project will start on Monday 8th August and is expected to take 14 weeks. As much of the work as possible will be done during daylight hours but there will also some 24 hr working, which will include weekends.