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Monday 29 Jul 2024

Network Rail reveals drone footage of 42 metre beam delivery ahead of multi-million-pound bridge rebuild over the M62.

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North West & Central: North West

| North West & Central

The "VIBs" (very important beams) were delivered ahead of work that sees the first ever weekend closure of the M62.

Network Rail is investing more than £22m to rebuild a major railway bridge that takes trains over the M62 in Castleton, near Rochdale.

In recent weeks, two 42 metre, 70 tonne steel beams were delivered to the work site during an overnight closure of the M62.

Drone footage shows the special delivery on the deserted westbound carriageway. The beams were manufactured in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland, before making the voyage over the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales.

The beams travelled over 200 miles by land and sea, convoyed safely with a police escort to the M62 site where the bridge will be built in situ ahead of its installation.

Passengers and motorists are urged to check before they travel this September as rail and road closures are required to replace the 42 metre long, 2000 tonne bridge.

The M62 will be closed over two weekends, on the eastbound carriageway between J18 and J20 and the westbound carriageway between J19 and J20:

• 9pm Friday 6 – 6am Monday 9 September
• 9pm Friday 20 – 6am Monday 23 September

During the road closure, engineers will dismantle the old bridge and take it away on the M62. The new bridge will then be installed during the second weekend.

Outside of the full road closure, the motorway will be reduced to three lanes between 28 July and 18 October.

From Monday 9 September until Friday 20 September, there will be nightly closures of the M62 between J19 and J20 from 9pm to 6am.

The railway will be closed from 6 September until the early morning of 25 September between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale. Rail replacement buses will be in operation. Passengers are advised to check their travel in advance as journey times will be significantly longer than usual.

The bridge, known as Castleton bridge, carries 6% of the UK’s energy supply across the country, as freight trains carry material to and from Drax power station in Selby.

Olivia Boland, Network Rail sponsor, said: “The replacement of Castleton bridge is essential for the safe running of our railway, and crucial to the country’s economy as 6% of the UK’s energy supply relies on the bridge for transportation.

“I’d like to thank passengers and motorists for their understanding while we carry out this work. It is a unique project that sees weekend closures of the M62 for the first time. Please, check before you travel on the M62 or between Manchester and Rochdale from 6 – 25 September 2024.”

Network Rail are working with National Highways and Transport for Greater Manchester to help road users understand what the work means for them.

Steve Mason, north-west programme delivery manager at National Highways, said: “The collaboration between Network Rail and National Highways highlights our commitment to minimising disruption for both rail and road users during this essential project.

“We appreciate the understanding of passengers and motorists during this work and urge them to check travel plans for September 2024.

“National Highways is actively working with Network Rail to communicate the impact on road users and ensure a smooth process during this important upgrade.”

Passengers are advised to check before they travel from 6 – 25 September, as no trains will be running between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “I would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding whilst this important infrastructure work takes place. Rail replacement buses will be operating services between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale so customers can still get where they want to be – but journey times will be longer.”

The bridge plays a crucial role in the safe journeys of around 3000 rail freight services a year.

David Hunter, Network Rail’s senior freight manager, said: “Castleton bridge is an essential part of the country’s freight network and is on a key freight route across the Pennines which links the west and east sides of the country.

“Heavy freight trains, which deliver aggregate products so the construction sector can keep building roads and houses, run over the bridge as well as several daily biomass services to Drax power station, which provide power to the national grid for electricity.”