Bridge set to close for urgent repairs

A bridge between Broadbottom and Charlesworth could be closed for up to five days whilst urgent repairs are carried out.

Besthill Bridge - which connects Lower Market Street and Long Lane on the border of Derbyshire and Tameside - will be closed to traffic on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December but the closure could be extended until the end of Wednesday (16 December) if necessary. 

It's understood that it's needed to allow repairs to one of the parapets, due to substantial damage caused by a HGV last month. 

Access will still be maintained for pedestrians.  

The alternative route for eastbound traffic will be via Lower Market Street, Mottram Road, Broadbottom Road, Market Street, Mottram Moor, Woolley Lane, Woolley Bridge, Brookfield, Dinting Vale, Glossop Road and Long Lane - and vice versa for westbound traffic. 

Motorists are advised to plan journeys accordingly, seek an alternative route and allow extra time. 

MP Jonathan Reynolds, who represents Broadbottom, has written to Tameside Council to enquire about the possibility of increasing signage at the lights in Mottram and in Broadbottom to warn large HGVs against passing over the bridge, and to remind drivers to check maximum height barriers or bollards. 

He said: "Damage to the bridge by large lorries continues to cause severe disruption to local residents and of course there is also the significant cost of repairs to consider."

MP Robert Largan, who represents Charlesworth, said: "This is likely to cause even more traffic than normal in Glossop, Woolley Lane and Mottram. Another reason why we need the Mottram Bypass & Glossop Spur built as soon as possible."