Work has started this week on building a new bridge over the River Roch in Bury.
The bridge will be near Redmere Drive, about 30 metres north of the existing Gigg Mills Bridge, which has fallen into disrepair and long been declared unsafe.
The new structure will provide a crossing over the river for pedestrians, cyclists, horses and occasional vehicles. It will be supported on piled reinforced concrete bank seats abutments.
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Initial ground works are due to start today (Monday, October 10). There will then be a break in site operations while the superstructure, the bridge deck and parapets, is fabricated, with work restarting in spring 2023.
It is estimated work will be completed and the bridge opened to the public in late spring or early summer 2023.
To minimise noise disruption, hours of working will be limited to 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.
It is not thought there will be any traffic disruption as a result of the works. Planning documents relating to the new bridge said the nearby existing bridge was not safe to use
It said: “It is a much needed replacement facility. The existing privately owned bridge is closed to all users. Prior to this it had been used by pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists.
“It also provided secondary access to Water Farm and access for anglers that use the ponds to the east of the river. The nearest alternative crossing points are at Blackford Bridge to the south and Heap Bridge to the north.
“The bridge structure is of a strong modern design finished in subtle colours and located close to a relatively modern area of housing. It is not a tall structure. It is within a mixed land use setting where it will have a positive impact on the immediate locality though little or no affect on wider views in the river valley.”
The project is being funded by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, set up to promote cycling and walking throughout Greater Manchester.
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