No trains to run through Stockport for three weeks
The works to replace a major bridge in the town start today
No trains will be running though Stockport station for three weeks.
There will be no services on the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly via Macclesfield and Cheadle Hulme between 2 August and 22 August.
There will be no train services on other lines into Stockport, such as Altrincham.
Replacement buses are in place for the 21-day period and where possible, services are being diverted around Stockport.
Network Rail are demolishing the current bridge, which goes over the railway line, and are installing a new one.
Once the new bridge is in situ, utility services will be reinstated, the road will be rebuilt, and the Greek Street roundabout will reopen.
The original bridge, constructed in 1958, has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
The bridge is on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line, and sees about 400 passenger and 50 freight services passing under it each day.
Network Rail say the replacement has been carefully planned to make sure these services can continue to run reliably for years to come.
The new bridge has a life expectancy of 120 years.
William Brandon, a project manager at Network Rail, said: “The work to strengthen Stockport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.
“I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this.”
Leader of Stockport Council, Mark Roberts said: "There are many different ways of getting to Stockport, we have a fantastic new bus interchange so if you rely on public transport, the Bee Network, then getting here by bus is a great way to get into town.
"My encouragement would be to anybody thinking about coming to Stockport, absolutely do, Stockport is open for business, Edgley is open for business."