Types of bridges and structures

Did you know?

We currently look after 708 structures across Stockport:

  • 102 road bridges
  • 152 footbridges
  • 316 retaining walls
  • 104 culverts
  • 19 subways
  • 13 sign and signal gantries
  • 1 tunnel
  • 1 special structure

Bridge

A structure with a span of 1.5m or more spanning and providing passage over an obstacle. For example:

  • watercourse
  • railway
  • road
  • valley
  • subways
  • underpasses

Footbridge

A structure with a span of 1.5m or more spanning and providing passage over an obstacle, where the main function is to carry pedestrian traffic only. For example:

  • watercourse
  • railway
  • road
  • valley
  • pedestrian cycleways

Culvert

A drainage structure with a span of 1.5m or more passing beneath a highway embankment that has a proportion of the embankment, rather than a bridge deck, between its uppermost point and the road running courses. Culverts are normally rectangular or circular in cross section.

Retaining wall

A wall associated with the highway where the dominant function is to act as a retaining structure, and with a minimum retained height of 1.35m

Sign/signal gantry

A structure spanning the highway, the primary function of which is to support traffic signs and signalling equipment.

Steps

A flight of stairs leading up or down from the highway, footway or park land.

Subway

A bridge providing passage under a road for use by pedestrians.

Tunnel

A tunnel with an enclosed length of 150m or more through which a road passes.

Special structure

A structure affecting the highway, maintained by us, that does not fit into any other category.