Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

This report sets out the work undertaken to date to develop the design for the replacement Greek Street and Stockholm Road Bridges; a summary overview of highway network considerations following the closure of the bridge during Network Rail’s bridge renewal and replacement works; and a proposed way forward and timescales for the works.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Authorise the Director of Place Management to continue to work with Network Rail and TfGM on the proposed replacement of the Greek Street Bridge on basis of the proposal detailed at Section 3.2 of the report including authority to develop and consult on a new highway layout over the Greek Street bridge.

(2) Authorise the Director of Place Management to work with Network Rail and TfGM to develop the design for the Stockholm Road bridge within on the basis of the ‘Option 2’ proposal detailed at Section 3.5 of the report.

(3) Request that the Director of Place Management work with Network Rail and their contactor to manage and mitigate the highway and rail impacts of the bridge replacements during construction as detailed in Section 5 of the report.

(4) Give approval to the development, consultation and submission of the associated package of highway, cycle, and pedestrian improvements as part of CRSTS process following appropriate engagement and approvals from the Central Stockport Area Committee and Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services.

(5) Give approval to the use of £1.9m of CRSTS strategic maintenance funding to pay the council’s required contribution to the replacement of both structures and the £4.1m contribution of CRSTS funding towards the enhancements at Stockholm Road bridge.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the work undertaken to date to develop the design for the replacement Greek Street and Stockholm Road Bridges; a summary overview of highway network considerations following the closure of the bridge during Network Rail’s bridge renewal and replacement works; and a proposed way forward and timescales for the works.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the scale of the proposed works meant that it was likely that there would be some disruption to traffic, however officers were working to put in place as much mitigation as possible to minimise this.

·         The proposal to include passive provision for Metrolink within the proposed design of the new bridges was welcomed.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Director of Place Management be authorised to continue to work with Network Rail and TfGM on the proposed replacement of the Greek Street Bridge on basis of the proposal detailed at Section 3.2 of the report including authority to develop and consult on a new highway layout over the Greek Street bridge.

(2) That the Director of Place Management be authorised to work with Network Rail and TfGM to develop the design for the Stockholm Road bridge within on the basis of the ‘Option 2’ proposal detailed at Section 3.5 of the report.

(3) That the Director of Place Management be requested work with Network Rail and their contactor to manage and mitigate the highway and rail impacts of the bridge replacements during construction as detailed in Section 5 of the report.

(4) That approval be given to the development, consultation and submission of the associated package of highway, cycle, and pedestrian improvements as part of CRSTS process following appropriate engagement and approvals from the Central Stockport Area Committee and Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services.

(5) That approval be given to the use of £1.9m of CRSTS strategic maintenance funding to pay the council’s required contribution to the replacement of both structures and the £4.1m contribution of CRSTS funding towards the enhancements at Stockholm Road bridge.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

Members are asked to consider a report of the Communities and Transport Scrutiny Committee in relation to Greek Street Bridge and Stockholm Road Bridge road over rail bridges which have been identified by Network Rail as needing replacement due to the deteriorating condition of the structures.  

The Area Committee is requested to note the report.  

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) in relation to Greek Street Bridge and Stockholm Road Bridge which have been identified by Network Rail as needing replacement due to the deteriorating condition of the structures.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members were advised that the works would be disruptive to travel but were necessary works for safety reasons. The council would endeavour to reduce the impact on travel where possible.

·         It was noted that the new structures were expected to have walkways on both sides of the bridges for increased accessibility. It was also expected that the concrete barriers would be removed as they did not add cosmetic value.

·         Funding for the project was guaranteed as the bridges must be replaced for safety reasons.

·         Work on both bridges would overlap, to take advantage of the rail closures in August.

·         A report would be submitted to the Area Committee next Spring with further detail as to next steps, following a consultation process.

·         It was proposed that a Bridge Replacement Working Group be established to receive regular updates as work progresses and comprise of at least one member from each ward within the Central Stockport Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a Bridge Replacement Working Group be established, comprising of at least one member from each ward within the Central Stockport Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report sets out that both Greek Street Bridge and Stockholm Road Bridge have been identified by Network Rail as needing replacement due to the deteriorating condition of the structures. It also sets out the work undertaken to date to develop the design for the replacement bridges; a summary overview of highway network considerations following the closure of the bridge during Network Rail’s bridge renewal and replacement works; and a proposed way forward and timescales for the works.

The Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Comment upon and note the report and package of recommendations to Cabinet.

(2) Note that the report will also be submitted to Central Stockport Area Committee for consideration.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out that both Greek Street Bridge and Stockholm Road Bridge had been identified by Network Rail as needing replacement due to the deteriorating condition of the structures. It also set out the work undertaken to date to develop the design for the replacement bridges; a summary overview of highway network considerations following the closure of the bridge during Network Rail’s bridge renewal and replacement works; and a proposed way forward and timescales for the works.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transportation Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members were supportive of the proposal within the scheme to futureproof the site for a possible future tram or train connection.

·         It was noted that the Greek Street Bridge site benefitted from additional resources including Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) funding for improved walking and cycling access.

·         The replacement at Stockholm Bridge did not include additional cycling and walking resources. However, the new design was intended to be wider than the current bridge, feature footpaths on both sides and new parapets.

·         Members commented that the issue of road safety in relation to the bridges was a matter for the Council to be concerned with, whilst Network Rail would be concerned with the bridges.

·         Members requested that residents should be given the opportunity to have their say on the aesthetic of the new Stockholm Bridge. Members also referred to Network Rail’s community teams and its funding pots for creating and maintaining street art/murals on bridges.

·         It was confirmed that the new bridge was currently being modelled and that local councillors and residents would be part of the consultation process.

·         It was suggested that whilst these works are being carried out, traffic diversions should take account of cyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists.

·         Members commented on the lack of signage for HGVs at Stockholm Bridge and requested clearer signage. In response it was stated that signage would be considered.

·         Members requested that the mosaics on the Greek Street Bridge should be preserved and moved. It was reported that Northern Rail had been asked for a clear commitment to preserve or replace those mosaics.

·         The significance of these civil engineering projects was commented upon, with a particular emphasis on the implications including the disruption which is likely to be caused whilst this work was ongoing. This would include implications for traffic management, local businesses and match days at Stockport County FC. Members requested that they be kept updated about these schemes.

·         In response it was stated that the Council had not underestimated the disruption to the whole borough, in particular Edgeley, during the course of these works. Plans for traffic diversions would be reported to this Committee prior to any work commencing. It was further reported that representatives from Network Rail would attend future meetings of this Committee as well as Member briefings.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That it be noted that the report would also be submitted to Central Stockport Area Committee for consideration.