A new £3.2m single-span bridge in Milltown Street in Radcliffe has been lifted into position, restoring a long-lost link across the River Irwell.
The former Milltown Street Bridge was destroyed by Storm Eva on Boxing Day in 2015.
The 50-metre long replacement bridge will improve walking, wheeling and cycling access. Of single span design without any in-river supports and sitting higher above the river, the new design improves flood resilience and reduces the risk of future damage.
As part of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s new joined-up transport network, the scheme has been funded from the UK Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund. The cost of the bridge reflects the need to protect the environment and the challenges of building safely and to current standards in a complex riverside location.
Councillor Alan Quinn, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “Watching the new bridge being lifted into place was a truly historic moment for Radcliffe. Fabricated here in the UK using British steel, it showcases the best of engineering and craftsmanship. While there’s still work to do before it opens, it won’t be long before residents can enjoy greener journeys across the River Irwell. By restoring this bridge, we’re reconnecting communities and supporting sustainable travel for the future.”
Works to the new bridge will continue over the winter, with completion anticipated in March 2026.
Richard Nickson, Active Travel Network director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “This new bridge will restore a key route for people making journeys by walking, cycling and wheeling in and through Radcliffe, providing a real boost to sustainable travel in the area. Investment in active travel infrastructure is key to the success of the Bee Network, and I look forward to the bridge opening next spring.”
Remaining works to complete the bridge include: north and south-side ducting, edging, surfacing, and landscaping; waterproofing and surface dressing to concrete structures; crane lift and Installation of a southern access ramp; and the final installation of fencing.
