OREANDA-NEWS. Work to rebuild the bridge over the railway on Rochdale Road in Manchester will increase this week as part of Network Rail's £1bn+ investment in the north west.

A new bridge is required to accommodate overhead electrical lines underneath it as part of the electrification of the railway between Manchester and Stalybridge.

The next stage of work requires a full road closure resulting in a diversion via Queens Road and Cheetham Hill Road. The route was agreed with Manchester City Council and will be clearly signposted.

Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “I apologise for the disruption this essential rebuild will cause and can assure local people that we have done all we can to plan the work for the shortest and safest amount of time.

“As well as delivering significant benefits to passengers, an electrified railway is also beneficial to those who live near the railway as it will mean quieter trains which produce fewer emissions will travel through the area.”

Electrification will help to provide a cleaner, faster and more reliable railway for passengers as well as contributing to additional capacity across the north of England.

To complete the work the road closure will be in place until January 2015. While the full road closure is in place a ramped temporary footbridge will be in use to maintain pedestrian and wheelchair access.