The new 38m bridge – just east of Stockport viaduct – will provide a two way link for buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians between the A6 and a planned transport interchange in the town centre.

 

The structure forms the first stage of preparatory works for this £42M interchange, which will replace the town’s existing bus station.

 

Stockport Council strategic head of place management Mark Glynn said the start of work on the bridge marks “a big step forward in improving access into the area, making public transport easier for everyone to use”.

 

The council is developing the project alongside Transport for Greater Manchester, whose head of projects Alex Cropper said: “The bridge is a significant piece of infrastructure which will improve traffic flow and journeys in general in the local area, as well as access for buses to the bus station and to the new interchange.”

 

He added: “The new interchange will make it easier to travel to, from and around Stockport benefiting drivers, passengers, residents and businesses.” He said it would attract more investment into Stockport and further support regeneration already under way in the borough.

 

Construction firm Osborne is delivering the new Mersey bridge. Over the coming months it will be carrying out ground investigation excavations and foundation piling ahead of the structure’s steel beams being lifted into place.

 

The contractor’s highways director Jamie Harrison said: “Starting these works at the Stockport Interchange is highly significant to us and we look forward to helping to improve the infrastructure for customers using the transport interchange.”