Full closure of Manchester Street Viaduct from July 19 to September 3
Drivers in Oldham face significant delays as the Manchester Street Viaduct, a key dual carriageway near the town centre, is set for a full closure for refurbishment. The closure will be in place from July 19 to September 3, 2026, as part of a £6.5 million project that began on May 18 and is scheduled to finish in December 2026. The viaduct, built in the 1970s, is in a poor and deteriorating condition due to its age and lack of maintenance.
Funding and scope of works
The project is funded through a mix of Oldham Council and Department for Transport funding. The works include waterproofing, expansion joint replacement, concrete repairs, parapet refurbishment, and resurfacing. According to Oldham Council, “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.”
Impact on traffic and diversion routes
The viaduct carries high volumes of traffic from Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, and other parts of the borough. Currently, the carriageway is reduced to one lane, causing delays. With the full closure, drivers are advised to use diversion routes: those going south should leave the A62 at the Manchester Street roundabout exit slip road, go around the roundabout, and rejoin the A62 at the next slip road. Northbound drivers should do the same in the opposite direction.
Council’s efforts to minimize disruption
The local authority stated it is “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.” Most work will be carried out using lane closures, but full closures are necessary for key concrete repairs. The council added, “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.”
