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Banana Bridge, Orrell

Started by: JR (575)

This is a bit of a controversial issue concerning the 'banana bridge'...
I had always assumed that it is the footbridge over the M6, as the former one (that became damaged) and replaced by a new one was and is now curved like a banana. The new footbridge is not only curved but is painted green and yellow, like a banana. However, many locals and not so local people refer to the 2 bridges over the m58 as the banana bridge. My opinion on this is that there are 2 footbridges over the M58 and both are straight, so no curves referring to a banana. Please offer your thoughts on this. I know it's a bit of a crap discussion but I'd like to know.

Started: 30th Oct 2024 at 20:09

Posted by: tonker (28779) 

Where's the footbridge over the M6?

Replied: 30th Oct 2024 at 21:14

Posted by: JR (575)

Sorry Tonker and thanks. I meant the slip road that leads to the M6 from Orrell Road. As ever you are good at picking up on misinformation. So everyone now knows the bridge I'm referring to.

Replied: 30th Oct 2024 at 21:44

Posted by: bloobloo (222) 

Banana bridge is what links the 2 halves of Edge Hall Rd over the start / end of the M58. Used to play around that area as a kid, Go past what was Orrell rugby club, past the bottom training pitches, opposite the gates to the training pitches was the waterworks house with its fascinating filters that looked like 2 swimming pools, plus a barn housing another pool / reservoir.
Carry on past there and there was an old stone derelict small keepers cottage another fascinating place - it still had everything inside from when the last caretaker lived there, a small cast iron range with a leather fireside chair next to it. stuff still in the kitchen cupboards etc. this was in the early '80s and had been derelict for at least 30 years.
Carry on past the cottage and it leads you to the 1st half of Banana Bridge. Carry on over to the other half of the bridge and the track then brought you out between Orrell tip and opposite the Mount.
The 2 halves of the bridge make a shallow V shape as the middle part is lower than either end - hence Banana Bridge.

Replied: 4th Nov 2024 at 02:12

Posted by: Wigman31 (31)

Just some clarificatiom, the origanal bridge across the slip road was straight and level and was very basic in it;s construction and only became banana shaped after it was hit.
The Edge Hall footbridges, built in about 1970, have always been referred to as Banana Bridge.
Of intrest the reason for the dip in the middle is that the M58 was to, with a flyover the M6, connect to the then planned route 225. If you look on Google maps it shows that the M58 ends on what would have been the slip roads layout to the junction.
Thats all I know over and out.

Replied: 5th Nov 2024 at 16:22
Last edited by Wigman31: 5th Nov 2024 at 18:37:02

Posted by: JR (575)

Thanks Bloobloo and Wigman31,
This solves the controversy and I am now corrected.

Replied: 5th Nov 2024 at 18:15

 

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