Bridge will provide new walking and cycling link for town centre scheme

A new bridge over the River Goyt has been lifted into place in a significant landmark moment for a council project that has helped to transform Stockport’s transport networks.

To continue building on Stockport’s strengths and improving the borough for the future, the council has invested £73m in its Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP).

The aim of the plan is to make it easier for everyone to travel into and around Stockport town centre, regardless of what method of travel they choose.

One of the key milestones of the project, a 40m bridge, was installed over the River Goyt, close to Pear Mill in Bredbury, last Friday, July 17.

The bridge will form part of a new off-road walking and cycling route linking Bredbury and Little Moor, through Woodbank Park.

The new link will mean two parts of Stockport’s existing National Cycle Network – the Alan Newton Way at Bredbury Hall and Fred Perry Way in Woodbank Park – are connected for the first time.

Once the works have been completed, the route will also link in to the Greater Manchester-wide ‘Bee Network’, led by Andy Burnham’s Mayoral Challenge Fund and Chris Boardman, the walking and cycling commissioner.

Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “The completion of today’s work is an incredibly significant moment for the borough.

“The new bridge over the River Goyt will create not only a new landmark for the town, but also provide a new walking and cycling link between the town centre and the east of the borough.

“Once the works are completed they will link in to further infrastructure work taking place that will help Stockport become one of the best places in Greater Manchester to travel around, either on foot or on bike.”

The bridge lift was completed in partnership with Bethell Construction, CTS Bridges and Ainscough Crane Hire.

The bridge and associated paths, will link into a new segregated cycleway that was completed in Summer 2018 on Stockport Road West between New Zealand Road and the Vernon Park car park.

TCAP has been delivered through working with partners Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and is funded by the Government’s Growth Deal Fund.