We’re undertaking planned refurbishment works to Manchester Street Viaduct to ensure the viaduct remains in service for years to come. Some delays can be expected during the refurbishment works.
Start date (on-site) 18 May 2026
End date (on-site) December 2026
Cost £6.5 million
Project Objectives
The Manchester Street Viaduct is located at the A62 Oldham Way/Manchester Street roundabout close to Oldham Town Centre. It carries high volumes of traffic and separates the key road network from the local road network and key pedestrian, cyclist and Metrolink routes, which link Manchester to Oldham and Rochdale.
The viaduct was constructed in the late 1970s and is now in a poor and deteriorating condition due to its age. It is in need of repair and improvement to extend its lifespan, to keep Oldham Way open and maintain the resilience and efficiency of the existing highway network.
Since being built no maintenance works to halt deterioration have been undertaken. The planned works will ensure the structure remains in service for years to come. The planned maintenance works includes waterproofing, expansion joint replacement, concrete repairs, parapet refurbishment and resurfacing.
The project objectives are as follows:
- Support the sustainable economic growth of central Oldham – maintain access to educational and employment opportunities in central Oldham and support sustainable economic growth through the provision of a resilient transport network.
- Enhance quality of life of central Oldham – improve air quality and reduce noise levels through the provision of a resilient transport network.
- Improve the resilience and safety of the transport network over the long term – ensure the existing network is maintained to a high standard and all infrastructure assets are safe and effective over the short term and beyond.
- Minimise disruption to the transport network in the short term – through the provision of a well maintained and efficient transport network.
- Prevent communities being cut off within central Oldham – improve connectivity of central Oldham and surrounding residential areas, for all transport modes and road users.
- Contribute to Carbon Net Zero targets – through the provision of a reliable and efficient transport network.
Funding
The scheme is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and Oldham Council. The CRSTS grant offer for the refurbishment of Manchester Street Viaduct is £4.5m. This will contribute to the overall scheme budget of £6.5m (£4.5m CRSTS grant plus £2m local highways maintenance contribution from Oldham Council)
Give us your feedback
If you have any questions or concerns about these works, please do not hesitate to contact our team:
Frequently asked questions
Where has the funding come from?
The scheme is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and Oldham Council. The CRSTS grant offer for the refurbishment of Manchester Street Viaduct is £4.5m. This will contribute to the overall scheme budget of £6.5m (£4.5m CRSTS grant plus £2m local highways maintenance contribution from Oldham Council)
Why is the viaduct being repaired now?
Typically, highway structures have a design life of up to 120 years. To achieve the design life maintenance interventions are required as materials and components deteriorate over time. Manchester Street Viaduct was constructed in the late 1970s. To date, no maintenance works to halt deterioration have been undertaken. As such, Oldham Council are undertaking planned maintenance of the viaduct and ensuring the structure remains in service for years to come.
The planned maintenance works includes waterproofing, expansion joint replacement, concrete repairs, parapet refurbishment and resurfacing.
What are the potential risks if the viaduct is not repaired?
Traffic restrictions may need to be imposed with the possibility of a full closure of the viaduct in the future. Unplanned or emergency works would cause further disruption to traffic and public transport across Oldham.
How long will the scheme take?
The scheme has been in the pipeline for several years but now that funding has been accepted, Oldham Council are progressing the scheme. The design of the refurbishment works is complete, and the construction works are due to start on site at the end of May 2026 and complete November 2026. Oldham Council are working with our project team to ensure that works are phased in such a way to minimise disruption to local businesses and residents over this period.
What environmental initiatives are being considered alongside viaduct repairs?
Measures will be implemented to minimise disruption to road users and the tramline during the maintenance works, aiming to minimise emissions and maintain air quality standards.