Timelapse footage of new Bewsey Street rail bridge project

The multi-angle footage shows the former Bewsey Street bridge being removed at Warrington Central station and driven through the town’s streets over the August bank holiday weekend.

Then its replacement is slowly manoeuvred into place on the back of a huge transporter vehicle.

A crane-eye view of the old bridge being lifted out of place

That project was one of five major railway bridge overhauls by Network Rail in the town this year to improve passenger and freight journeys.

Others include the replacement of South Lane bridge in Penketh earlier this month, two bridge decks being replaced at Warrington Bank Quay station at Easter and the replacement of Foundry Street bridge, also replaced over the August bank holiday

All five bridge projects mean a total investment of £11.35million by the Great North Rail Project in Warrington in 2021.

The new track being laid over the replaced Warrington Central bridge

Chris Pye, Network Rail’s infrastructure director for the north west, said: “I am hugely proud of the hundreds of planners and engineers who have worked tirelessly this year to improve Warrington’s railway for the future.

“This significant Great North Rail Project investment means more reliable journeys for passengers and freight across the north west for many decades to come.

“It is also proof of the rail industry’s commitment to build back better from the pandemic as more people return to rail to get to where they need to be.”

The old railway bridge being driven down Froghall Lane

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, added: “The Great North Rail Project is making a huge difference for Northern customers and is delivering improved infrastructure that will provide better journeys for many years to come.

“Our customers are at heart of everything we do, and the improvements in Warrington, alongside our own enhancements to trains and stations, will have a big impact for our customers using the Northern network.”