£500k repair scheme for Market Street Bridge, Bury

A bridge that carries Market Street over the East Lancashire Railway and is a key route in and out of Bury town centre is to benefit from a scheme of renovation.

The five-month-long bridge repair scheme will start on site on Tuesday 27 May and will continue for five months until October 2025.

The scheme will involve the replacement of the existing bridge bearings that are crucial to supporting the bridge and keeping it stable and safe for all road users, pedestrians, and the East Lancashire Railway line running underneath it.

Due to the location of the bridge, it will be necessary to close off a section of Market Street to vehicles, between the access roads to Pyramid Park and Bury Athletics Track. A diversion route will be clearly signed to maintain access to all key locations, and the footway will remain open for pedestrians.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, operations and climate change, said: “Bridge bearings allow a bridge to flex slightly under heavy loads, temperature fluctuations, or vibrations, while keeping it securely in place. This repair scheme is essential to ensure the future stability of Market Street Bridge.

“Over the next few months there will be some inconvenience for road users, but please bear with us; by carrying out essential repairs to this important bridge we are protecting a key town centre route.”

Bury Council’s engineering services team will co-ordinate and supervise the works from start to finish. The appointed contractor, Bethell, will be responsible for ensuring all works are carried out safely.

All emergency services have been notified in advance of the commencement of the works and made aware of the restrictions in place.

For the latest information on this scheme visit www.bury.gov.uk/market-street-bridge

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 May 2025.

Picture: At the Market Street Bridge are (from left) Thomas Bland (assistant project engineer, Bury Council); Cllr Alan Quinn (cabinet member for the environment); and Andy Bennett (Bethell).