Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides 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 responding mitigation works.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Request that the Cabinet:

(i)      Gives approval to enter into the Bridgeguard 3 agreement and make any payments to Network Rail necessary under this agreement.

(ii)   Agrees 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.

(iii)Agrees 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.

(2) Note the work undertaken to improve flood resilience in Stockport and support the continued partnership working and investment in these areas.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk and Jamie Birtles at jamie.birtles@stockport.gov.uk 

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the works required, and schedule associated with, the Network Rail led Greek Street bridge renewal project. This included providing an overview of the potential subsequent disruption and the responding mitigation works.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was reported that a statutory service bridge would be installed as part of the bridge replacement works. The service bridge would provide access for utilities works to enable the construction work to commence; the public would not have access to the service bridge.

·         In response to a question about road closures around Greek Street at the Shaw Heath boundary it was reported that there would still be pedestrian access to the Armoury pub, but no vehicular access directly in front of the pub. Loading and unloading provision would be made on Greek Street to the rear of the pub to allow for deliveries.

·         It was reported that officers were in the process of communicating with local organisations affected by the closure of the roundabout.

·         In terms of wider communication to those commuting in and out of Stockport, this would be delivered by the council along with partner organisations. For example, the rail industry would be responsible for communications about railway closures.

·         The three main organisations involved in the Greek Street Bridge replacement were the council, Network Rail and the contractor undertaking the work. A range of information would be provided from a variety of sources including on-site information, face to face events and letter drops. A public consultation event was also planned and had been advertised by way of a website and press release.

·         Social media was also being employed to deliver information about the bridge closure and the contractor had employed a project manager who would, over time, take responsibility for communications from the contractor side.

·         In response to a question about the consequences of an over-run of the expected timescale for this project, it was reported that the council was optimistic that this would not be the case, but in the event members would be advised on how the scheme would proceed.

·         Network Rail was reported to have a good track record in terms of delivering major infrastructure on time.

·         Members requested that residents be informed that Stockport Station would not be a good pick up point during these works.

·         In response to a question about the monitoring of diversionary routes, it was reported that plans for diversions would be finalised in the coming weeks. It was thought that drivers would find alternative routes to diversions and, as a consequence, the council planned to monitor and respond to alternative diversionary routes.

·         Members commented on the diversionary routes where an HGV bans existed due to safety concerns.

·         Members commented that, whilst these works were necessary, local residents, particularly around Edgeley, were going to been impacted by these works over a twelve month period. Assurances were sought that the council was prepared to demonstrate the leadership and cooperation necessary during the construction of the new bridge.

·         In response it was stated that the council recognised that the impact of these works on local residents and commuters, which had not been underestimated. A working group had been set up between officers and local members to try to ensure that the process would be as smooth as possible and the council would continue to work with the local community.

·         Members requested that this Scrutiny Committee should endorse the council resolution related to the Greek Street Bridge works.

RESOLVED – (1) That Cabinet be recommended to:-

(i)    Give approval to enter into the Bridgeguard 3 agreement and make any payments to Network Rail necessary under this agreement.

(ii)  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.

(iii) 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.

(2) That it be noted that a prior approval application will be considered under the Councils adopted scheme of delegation and the determination of the application would be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive.

(3) That the motion agreed by the Council Meeting on 21 November 2024 be endorsed by this Scrutiny Committee, as follows:·       

(i)            To write to the GMCA, Transport for Greater Manchester, GM Transport Commissioner, Chair of the Bee Network Committee and the GM Mayors Office asking them to allocate CRSTS ATF monies to this scheme as soon as possible given the uniqueness of this project and the disruption it will bring to Edgeley residents.

(ii)              In the alternative, recommend that the Cabinet agrees to draw capital funding internally as a Borough to deliver this small scheme before the Armoury Roundabout is replaced given shovels could be in the ground to deliver this scheme within a short time frame with a view that the scheme is delivered by March 2025.