Repairs to a Victorian railway tunnel under which the Metrolink runs will leave a town's green dug up for another YEAR. The turf at Whitefield was first removed in March 2021.
A routine inspection of the tunnel last year found a fracture in an iron support beam. Workmen dug a huge hole to get access to the damage and the plot was sealed off with fencing.
But the site was later completely surrounded by boarding and protected by 24-hour security. Metrolink services were disrupted last August by the work. It then came to a halt after temporary measures were taken to make the tunnel, which dates from 1876, safe.
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But in recent weeks, in addition to a vast hole on the green exposing utility pipes, a small section of Church Lane has been dug up too. This has resulted in traffic being prevented from turning left onto Bury New Road. Bank Street has blocked off for periods.
Now after starting the work in March 2021, transport bosses have admitted it may not be finished until summer 2023. Transport for Greater Manchester’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “The work required to repair the damaged iron structure in the tunnel is complex and requires the major diversion of multiple utilities, including gas, water and electric, as well as significant repair and replacement of structural components.
“The complexity of the work means we have not been able to deliver it alongside other planned works happening on the line this year, as we had hoped. Instead, to minimise further disruption to passengers this year, we are planning the works for Spring/Summer 2023.
“We have taken steps to ensure it remains safe and are continuing to monitor the site closely. When we have further details about the work - including whether any minor temporary road closures will be needed - we will be sure to let local residents know.” Options at "tidying" up the site in the meantime are being considered.
The delay in repairs is the latest twist in a long saga involving disruption to the green, which faces Morrison's supermarket. The plot was illegally turned into a restaurant's car park overnight before being restored.
The wedge of lawn was at the centre of a three-year wrangle due to a blunder by the Land Registry. The plot was grabbed by an Italian eatery Porada for a car park, and was then partly re-instated after a deal was struck with the town hall. Eventually it was fully restored. Since the work started on the tunnel repairs Porada has had to close as the work site encroaches onto the restaurant's gable end and near the entrance.
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