Emergency repairs are being carried out to a damaged bridge in Bolton.

A section of the Moses Gate bridge collapsed onto the railway between Bolton and Manchester on Thursday, 17 August.

Network Rail said the collapse was due to a burst water main.

With major engineering work needed to make both the bridge and highway safe, the railway line is to remain shut next week while the road could be closed for up to six weeks.


Andy Morgan, senior sponsor for Network Rail, said: "We are working round the clock to repair the damaged bridge and get train customers and road-users on the move as normal through this area.

"Repairing the water-damaged bridge is a complex engineering challenge requiring a bespoke design.

"We are working closely with Bolton Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and United Utilities to safely carry out the repairs so the railway line and the road can be reopened as quickly as possible."

(LM)