Lib Dems Secure Drainage Improvements to Leaky Railway Bridge

2.44.57pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 20th Mar 2007

South Manchester Liberal Democrats have secured improvements to the railway bridge over Mauldeth Road which will stop water pouring down the sides of the bridge and onto the pavements.

The flowing water makes the bridge damp and unpleasant for the hundreds of pedestrians who use the bridge every day to get to local shops, schools and Mauldeth Road railway station. It also makes the pavements slippy and forms ice during the winter.

Following requests from the Liberal Democrats, Network Rail, who own the bridge, have agreed to carry out improvements to the guttering to prevent water seeping down the structure. They will also jet wash the bridge at the same time, to improve its appearance.

The bridge is on the boundary of the Burnage and Withington Wards, and Lib Dem Councillors on both sides are celebrating the news.

Burnage Councillor Iain Donaldson said:

"Residents of Burnage Ward contacted us about the horrible condition of this bridge and we took the issue up with Network Rail and the Council. At last it seems that there is going to be some action to make it safer and more pleasant for pedestrians walking along Mauldeth Road."

Withington Councillor Alison Firth said:

"Residents have to walk under this bridge to get to use Mauldeth Road station and to get to the bus route on Kingsway. It is also on the route many use to get to and from Mauldeth Road primary school and the shops in Ladybarn. It is great news that the bridge is to have these improvements."

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