Media centre

Tuesday 21 Oct 2014

Railway investment means temporary closure of bridge in Salford

Region & Route:

A railway bridge in Salford is to be rebuilt as part of Network Rail’s £1bn+ investment to improve the railway in the north west of England.

Temporary traffic lights are already in use on Oldfield Road as preparations begin to demolish and rebuild the bridge as part of the electrification of the line between Manchester and Preston via Bolton.

The new bridge will allow for overhead power lines to be installed on the railway underneath, which will help provide passengers with more reliable, regular and faster journeys from December 2016.

The temporary traffic lights will be in use until 27 October when a full road closure will start and be in place until the end of May 2015. A diversion has been agreed with the local authority and will be clearly signposted.

Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “I apologise for the disruption this essential rebuild will cause and can assure local people that we have done all we can to plan the work for the shortest and safest amount of time.

“As well as delivering significant benefits to passengers, an electrified railway is also beneficial to those who live near the railway as it will mean quieter trains which produce fewer emissions will travel through the area.”

For further information contact Network Rail on 08457 114 141.