Work on new Radcliffe bridge progressing well

Work is well under way to install a new bridge over the River Irwell in Radcliffe connecting Milltown Street to Rectory Lane.

The £3.2m project will replace the bridge washed away by Storm Eva in 2015. As part of the Bee Network, the project is being funded by UK Government City Regional Transport Settlement and the Mayor's Challenge Fund.

The bridge reconstruction project is being delivered by local civil engineering contractor Bethell and is being manufactured in Nottingham. It is due to be installed next month.

So far, the site has been cleared of vegetation and the existing bridge deck and pier have been demolished and removed from the site. Piling has been done across the site to support the bridge structure, steel construction for the abutment has been completed, and concrete poured is curing.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, visited the works in Nottingham to see progress on the main structure.

“It was fantastic to visit and see this bridge being fabricated in the UK using British steel,” he said. “Social value is an integral part of the contracts that we award - they keep British workers employed, help apprentices into work and maintain vital skills and capability.”

He added: “The new bridge will be part of the Bee Network, the Greater Manchester-wide active travel network, enhancing connectivity and supporting local economic regeneration. It’s good to know the works are on schedule, and we can all look forward to finally getting a new bridge in Radcliffe.”

Progress photos for the works can be found on the Bury Council website at www.bury.gov.uk/milltown-bridge

ENDS

Press release issued: 27 October 2025.

Picture: A CGI image of how the new bridge will look, with (inset) Cllr Alan Quinn visiting the workshop where the bridge is being fabricated.