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Thursday 19 May 2016

Smithy Bridge underpass cleaned and painted during Network Rail volunteer day

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

An underpass next to the level crossing in Smithy Bridge has been tidied and painted thanks to a group of volunteers from Network Rail, with the help of Rochdale Borough Council.

The makeover of the underpass has provided a better, brighter alternative route to cross the railway in Smithy Bridge, Littleborough.  Following a public meeting earlier this year to discuss level crossing safety with Smithy Bridge residents, the poor condition of the public underpass was raised due to an abundance of graffiti and litter.
 
Last week the council assisted Network Rail by setting out warning signs for the public to advise painting was in progress, allowing the volunteers to complete the job in less than five hours.
 
Sarah McArdle, community relations manager at Network Rail, said: “Local residents were hesitant to use the underpass at Smithy Bridge to cross the railway as it was dark and full of litter and graffiti. Our volunteer day was a great opportunity to work with the council to restore the underpass and provide residents with a brighter, cleaner and safer walkway.”
 
Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “As everyone can see, the end result is a massive improvement, now the underpass looks clean, fresh and much more appealing once more. I am pleased that this clean-up has finally been done and would like to thank Network Rail and the volunteers who rolled their sleeves up to get it done in such a short space of time. I know the local school children and families who use it every day will be pleased.”