Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the works required and schedule associated with the Network Rail led Greek Street bridge renewal project. This includes providing an overview of the potential subsequent disruption and the corresponding mitigation works.  

The Area Committee is requested to comment on and note the report, and endorse the following recommendations to Cabinet:  

·         Approve to enter into the Bridgeguard 3 agreement and make any payments to Network Rail necessary under this agreement.  

·         Agree that the decisions related to the necessary diversion routes are delegated to the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services in conjunction with officers following engagement with members. 

·         Agree that the decisions related to the final highway layout on the new structure are delegated to the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services following consultation with the Member Working Group. 

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson 0161 474 4351 | sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk  

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the works required and schedule associated with the Network Rail led Greek Street bridge renewal project.

Pam Hibbert and Jamie Birtles (Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council) attended the meeting to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The report included an overview of the potential subsequent disruption, and the corresponding mitigation works.

·         The report had recently been considered by members of the Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 25 November 2024.

·         It was reported that preparatory works for the project had begun, and local residents were aware of the forthcoming works. The Edgeley Community Association were concerned about the proposed diversion routes, which officers had been made aware of. It was noted that one of the diversion routes ran adjacent to Our Ladies Roman Catholic Primary School, which was a poorly lit and narrow route, and felt unsuitable for pedestrian and cyclist use at the same time. It was also noted that a resolution had been put to Council in relation to funding for the scheme, but members had since been advised of changes relating to funding and a letter had been sent to the Mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Andy Burnham.

·         Ward members asked to be kept regularly informed of developments as works progressed.

·         It was suggested that work on the Hempshaw Lane City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement Scheme could coincide with these works, and for officers to be aware of the potential impacts of the schemes on each other.

·         Thanks were expressed to officers for keeping local councillors informed of developments on the preparatory works and asked that the working party continues to meet with regularity.

·         It was asked that information on drop-in sessions be circulated to local councillors to distribute to residents.

·         Members were advised that Network Rail had responsibility for the scheme and wider communications as lead for the scheme, and that the council would be working closely with Network Rail to ensure that the council’s expectations around communications were met.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the following recommendations to Cabinet endorsed:

·         Approve to enter into the Bridgeguard 3 agreement and make any payments to Network Rail necessary under this agreement.

·         Agree that the decisions related to the necessary diversion routes are delegated to the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services in conjunction with officers following engagement with members.

·         Agree that the decisions related to the final highway layout on the new structure are delegated to the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services following consultation with the Member Working Group.