Lights out on Mumps bridge

Photo: Chris Sunderland

READY to go . . . a worker examines the scene at 5.30pm.

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GOING, going, gone — part of Oldham’s iconic Mumps bridge has been demolished as the borough prepares for the arrival of Metrolink.

The north bridge — famously emblazoned with the “Home of the Tubular Bandage” motto — was lifted away by crane on Saturday.

The road out of Oldham was closed from Friday evening to allow contractors to build the crane and will re-open tomorrow morning at 6am.

Oldham Council leader Howard Sykes said: “This is a major milestone in our Metrolink project and an historic day for the borough.

“It marks the coming of a first-class integrated public transport network and infrastructure that we have lacked for too long — and running trams into the town centre will also act as a major economic stimulus.

“Some people have questioned the necessity to remove Mumps bridge, but future generations would have thought it absurd for us not to grasp this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remodel the area.

“Removing the bridge allows us to tackle the obvious traffic flow and road access problems. We can then start revitalising an area of the town centre that has long struggled to fulfil its potential and make Mumps a radically different gateway to the town.”

Work to demolish the south bridge will be carried out at a later date.

GMPTE will work with Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, Oldham Council and contractor, MPact-Thales, to explore opportunities to commemorate the history of the bridges.

Norman Stoller CBE commercialised the tubular bandage invented by his father, Ivor, to the extent that Seton became one of Oldham’s biggest employers.

He said: “Oldham is a forward-thinking place. It has to think about its future — and not about the past.”

Councillor Richard Knowles, chairman of GMITA’s Capital Projects Committee, added: “The demolition shows that Metrolink is definitely on its way to Oldham and people will realise that when they see the north bridge is no longer here.”

Trams are expected to start running from Manchester to Mumps during autumn, 2011, and through the town centre during spring, 2014.