A £1m pot has been put aside to clean up Stockport’s famous viaduct, rail bosses have confirmed.
Weeds, graffiti and crumbling brickwork have left the iconic Victorian structure looking the worse for wear for some time.
It was last properly spruced up some 30 years ago - at the cost of around £3m.
And with Stockport town centre undergoing a £1bn regeneration, campaigners have been pushing for something to be done about its dilapidated state.
Among them has Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne, who tabled a series of questions to transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris.
In his latest response Mr Harris confirmed £1m put aside by Network Rail was ‘specifically for the upkeep of Stockport rail viaduct, including brick repair, de-vegetation work and maintenance of rainwater goods [pipework and guttering]’ - not other projects.
The news has been welcomed by Mr Gwynne, who described the viaduct as a 'critical piece of national infrastructure'.
And while the council is awaiting further information on exactly how and when the money will be spent, economy and regeneration chief Coun David Meller has also expressed his delight.
“We don’t know if the total amount will cover all the work that needs doing but even so, it is great news,” said Coun Meller, who is also helming the 12-year ‘station masterplan’.
“Stockport Viaduct is the icon of our town and known right across the country: it is our heritage.
“Yet the viaduct also plays a key role in our town’s future and if we are going to attract people into our town centre to live, work and enjoy themselves after this pandemic, the viaduct needs to be in top condition.”
His comments were echoed by Coun Matt Wynne, who last year launched a petition to get the viaduct cleaned up.
“It’s welcome to see investment lined up there on public record. Let’s hope it does the trick. I don’t underestimate the complexity and scale of work needed to sort the ‘guts’ of the viaduct out as it were,” he said.
“However, it needs to start looking nicer on the eye fairly quickly given the knock-on effect its current condition is having on the amenity of the local area. Hopefully cosmetic work can begin as soon as practically possible.”
Chris Pye, infrastructure manager for Network Rail’s North West route, said: "Stockport viaduct is not only an iconic piece of railway architecture it is also a main rail artery connecting Manchester and the south. For that reason, every year we carry out vital maintenance to make sure it is safe for trains above and motorists and pedestrians below.
“At 180 years old it is not unusual for such an impressive piece of Victorian engineering to be showing signs of its age. So, more than a million pounds is being invested to improve brickwork and clear weeds from the structure between now and 2024.”
Built in 1840 the historic 27-arch viaduct remains one of the largest brick structures in the world.
