Planning permission has been secured for a new road bridge across the River Mersey in Stockport.

Above: Image of the new bridge over the Mersey in Stockport

The bridge represents the first phase of Transport for Greater Manchester’s plans to build Stockport Interchange.

The bridge will link Astley Street on the north side of the river with Swaine Street to the south, enabling bus services to be re-routed through the town centre, while also improving access to the interchange.

Works for the bridge and associated highways are expected to start in 2017. WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff is consulting engineer for the scheme.

The incremental development of Stockport Interchange is part of a £1bn investment programme taking place across Stockport.

Transport for Greater Manchester chair Cllr Andrew Fender said: “The new bridge paves the way for a fully-accessible interchange, which will transform a key gateway into the town centre and provide much improved facilities and links between modes of transport for passengers.”