Stockport Council has said that it is carrying out essential maintenance works near the Manchester Road entrance to Abney Hall Park to divert Chorlton Brook away from the defective Cheadle Lane Culvert (under Manchester Road). This will involve creating a new car park, then cutting an open channel for the brook.

The works are expected to last from January to May 2019.

The Council says:

Cheadle Lane Culvert is a brick arch culvert that carries the access road to Abney Hall/Park, the B5095 Manchester Road and a service road over the Chorlton Brook. The culvert is 130m long and varies in span from 1.85 to 3.2m, with approx. 15.6m under the adopted highway.

The original date of construction is unknown. However, the culvert appears to have been extended a number of times since original construction and was possibly completed to its current alignment as part of the Sharston Bypass/M56 development, and in particular the Kingsway Interchange (M63) works, that were completed in 1974.

As part of the statutory inspection & maintenance programme carried out by SMBC Highways Structures department, it has become apparent that the brick arch forming the culvert has deformed underneath the carriageway forming Manchester Road. The implications of not carrying out these essential safety works would be the eventual collapse of Manchester Road which would have a significant impact on the local economy and road infrastructure.

A full options appraisal and feasibility study has been undertaken. The preferred option which has been fully developed is the most viable solution, in compliance with the constraints. Delivery of this option ensures a relatively short construction period compared with other options and also delivers the most cost effective solution for the scheme whilst enabling the Manchester Road carriageway to remain open and unrestricted during the works. In addition, the design solution also aligns with recent environmental guidance which encourages the de-culverting of watercourses where feasible.