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Monday 24 Aug 2020

Railway reopens to passengers after successful Crewe bridge reconstruction

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

The railway between Crewe and Chester has reopened to passengers after a nine-day closure to reconstruct a major road bridge in Crewe.

The £5.7m Great North Rail Project investment involves the complete renewal of 'Boulderstones bridge' which takes the A530 Middlewich Road over the railway.

The essential work will make the crossing more reliable for road users above and rail passengers below for decades to come.

The original bridge was removed in June. The modern structure will make the railway crossing safer, more reliable and in need of less maintenance in future.

Middlewich road will remain closed until October this year whilst the finishing touches to the bridge are completed.

Oluwole Osunneye, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “This essential Railway Upgrade Plan work will bring the crossing over the railway up to modern standards making it safe and reliable for both traffic above and rail passengers below.”

“We are very grateful for the patience of rail passengers and road users in Crewe while we completely renew this bridge – reducing traffic and train delays in the years to come”

Nick Westcott, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We would like to thank our customers for their patience when travelling with us over the last nine days, while Network Rail completed these works. By bringing the road bridge up to modern standards it will reduce the maintenance that can sometimes impact the railway, helping to make journeys between Crewe and Chester more reliable for many years to come.”

This major bridge replacement follows the successful £11m refurbishment scheme of another railway bridge in Crewe at Sydney Road in September last year.

Meanwhile, passengers are asked to continue following Government guidance around the use of public transport.

Travellers must wear a face covering on trains. Those who fail to do so risk being fined £100.

However, some people are exempt, including young children and people with hidden disabilities or breathing difficulties.