A HEYROD railway bridge hailed as an example of design from the 1840s will be strengthened as part of a multi-billion pound scheme.
And it is hoped that while work is being down on the Manchester Road structure, known as Black Rock, road closures will be minimised.
Network Rail has applied to Tameside Council for permission to bolster the Grade-II listed bridge as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Documents supporting the proposal detail why they feel it must be and new handrails must be put in place.
They state: “Manchester Road Underbridge (MVL3/10) is currently understrength.
“As such, provisions to safeguard the structure ahead of the increase in line speed are required.
“The increased line speed and train loading would impose increased horizontal forces on the underbridge and require additional ballast depth.
“Without mitigation, this has the potential to affect the structural condition of the underbridge, and to dislodge individual parapet blocks.
“Additionally, the current metallic handrails do not meet the safety regulations of the electrified railway and require replacement.
“The proposals for these works have been developed to minimise intervention into the historic structure and alteration of its appearance as far as possible, whilst mitigating the impact of increased line speeds and heavier trains.
“In order to achieve the aims of the TRU programme it is necessary to re-align the track over Manchester Road Underbridge, to strengthen the structure in order to accommodate the increase in horizontal force on the underbridge from increased line speed and heavier trains, and to replace the existing modern handrail.
“The alterations to the listed bridge would comprise the adjustment of the existing track bed on the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ lines to lean into the new line speed.”
To do that, reinforced concrete units would be installed to the inside of the eastern parapet and stainless steel dowels put in through the top face of each parapet block, to tie into the stone course below.
Core holes would be finished by insertion of a stone ‘plug,’ increasing the strength of the parapet to counteract the greater forces and prevent the movement of individual parapet blocks.
The existing tubular metal ‘keeclamp’ typer barrier would be replaced and masonry repairs would be done on the underside of the arch to resolve defects, including open joints, ‘spalling’ and fracturing.
Despite the list, Network Rail says the work ‘would result in only slight physical impacts to the structure.’
The work will be done as part of the TRU scheme, which will see the line from Manchester to York electrified and bring a new railway station at Mossley.
Network Rail said: “It has been determined to be necessary to strengthen the underbridge using a precast reinforced unit as well as replace the current handrails.
“These works would therefore enable implementation of the scheme.”
And the bridge’s significance was highlighted as it was designed by Alfred Stanistreet Jee, with it being listed in 2018.
Documents continue: “Its position as an integral part of the Transpennine railway is a key component of its setting given that the bridge continues to carry the railway cutting across the Pennine landscape.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, or officers, will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.