A milestone has been reached on Network Rail's multi-billion pound Great North Rail Project.

The new Ordsall Chord bridge has been installed in Greater Manchester, connecting the city's three main railway stations for the first time.

As the world's first asymmetric rail bridge, the project forms the centrepiece of the Great North Rail Project, which will see more than £1 billion of improvements carried out across the north of England by 2022.

Rail Minister Paul Maynard installed the final rail clip onto the structure today, 09 November.

He was joined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Salford Mayor Paul Dennett as the trio walked across part of the new bridge, alongside Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne and London North Western route managing director Martin Frobisher.

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Minister Maynard said: "The new Ordsall Chord is a major milestone for the Great North Rail Project and forms a key part of this government's £13 billion investment in transport in the north. 

"The construction of this new iconic bridge has supported 2,000 jobs, including new apprentices and graduates and will provide new and direct links to Manchester Airport from across the region. 

"By 2020, the Great North Rail Project will deliver faster and more comfortable journeys, with new trains, extra carriages and more than 2,000 extra services a week."

Martin Frobisher, route managing director of Network Rail, said: "The completion of Ordsall Chord is a seminal moment in the Great North Rail Project, which will transform train travel for millions of customers across the north."

(LM)