Thelwall Viaduct
| Thelwall Viaduct | |
| Cheshire, Lancashire | |
|---|---|
 Main span of the viaducts over the Manchester Ship Canal | |
| Location | |
| Carrying: | M6 motorway |
| Crossing: | Manchester Ship Canal River Mersey |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SJ664883 |
| Location: | 53°23’26"N, 2°30’21"W |
| Structure | |
| Length: | 4,414 feet (northbound) 4,500 feet (southbound) Main span: 336 feet |
| Design: | Plate girder bridge |
| Material: | Reinforced concrete, Steel |
| History | |
| Information | |
The Thelwall Viaduct is a steel composite girder viaduct in carrying the M6 motorway for five-sixths of a mile across the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal, near Lymm, between Lancashire on the north bank of the Mersey and Cheshire on its south bank. Here the Mersey is the county border, while the canal to the south has both banks in Cheshire at this point.
The location of the viaduct on the motorway network is between junctions 20 and 21 of the M6, the former being also junction 9 of the M56.
The viaduct actually comprises two separate bridges:
- Northbound carriageway: 4,414 feet long, which was the longest motorway bridge in Britain when it was opened in July 1963;
- Southbound carriageway: 4,500 feet long carrying which was opened in 1995.[1]
The longest single span is the one of 336 feet crossing the ship canal.[1]
In July 2002 a failed roller bearing was discovered and it became necessary to close all but one northbound lane. As the M6 at the time carried an estimated 150,000–160,000 vehicles a day, this led to serious congestion.[2] The viaduct was not completely reopened to daytime traffic until February 2005, and subsequently remained partially closed at night for further remedial work to take place.[3] In all, 148 bearings were replaced, with the repair scheme costing around £52 million.[4]
Given the bridge's height and openness to the elements it has frequently been the subject of speed reductions due to strong gusts of wind that badly affect the stability of high-sided vehicles. On several occasions lane closures have resulted as a consequence of articulated vehicles simply being blown over. However, the open sides of the bridge are a deliberate design feature to reduce the likelihood of snow drifts building on the carriageways.
In April 2011 a massive free party took place under the bridge, with reportedly over 5,000 ravers in attendance.[5]
1971 accident
At approximately 8am on 13 September 1971 thick fog led to a catastrophic multiple vehicle crash on the viaduct. More than 200 cars, trucks and tankers piled up, five vehicles burst into flames, 10 people were killed and 70 injured. It was the worst accident ever recorded on British roads at that time.[6]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Thelwall Viaduct) |
- The Thelwall Viaduct on SABRE
- The Motorway Archive
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "M6 Warrington to Preston (J20 to J29)". The Motorway Archive. 2009. http://motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/en/motorways/motorway-listing/m6/m6-warrington-to-preston-j20-to-j29. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ↑ David Jamieson Written Answers, 14 April 2003 col. 600W Transport - Thelwall Viaduct
- ↑ "M6 viaduct reopen after repairs". BBC News. 7 February 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4242437.stm. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ↑ "M6 clear at Thelwall". North Wales Daily Post. 7 February 2005. http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/m6-clear-at-thelwall-2916062. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ↑ "Ravers take over Thelwall Viaduct". Warrington Guardian. 4 April 2011. http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/news/8952165.Ravers_take_over_Thelwall_Viaduct/. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ↑ "Weatherwatch: September mists and fogs". 21 September 2011. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2011/sep/21/weatherwatch-mist-fog. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
| Bridges and crossings on the River Mersey | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rowley Footbridge | Kingsway Bridge | Footbridge | Thelwall Viaduct | Works bridge | Warburton Toll Bridge | Cadishead Viaduct |