Rail enthusiast Pete Waterman says the Ordsall Chord bridge linking Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations will put the UK at the forefront of engineering for the first time in 30 years.
The project is back on track after a heritage row over the Grade I-listed Stevenson’s Bridge.
It was delayed by public enquiry but the High Court has ruled the building work can now go ahead.
The Ordsall Chord is due to be completed by December 2017.
“This is a world-first,” said record producer Waterman, who has been a railway buff for over half a century.
“I’ve always said conservation and heritage are a delicate balance, but were Stevenson here today I believe he would say that we should do this work.
“Our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will not thank us if we don’t allow progress to go ahead and allow them to be better connected.”
Peter Jenkins, architect and director at BDP, who are building the asymmetrical bridge said: “The improvements for Salford and Manchester will be outstanding.
“Stevenson’s bridge is lost right now, it’s a Grade I-listed building, the same as the House of Commons, it’s a hugely significant structure for the UK.
“Our work will bring it back into use, here, on the site of the most famous railway heritage positions in the world.”
