Direction sign for drivers

Fordbank Road was the main route used because of its width and easy access for articulated lorries transporting heavy and wide loads. On behalf of the Environment Agency, the majority of the work was being undertaken by J.N. Bentley Ltd of Skipton, Yorkshire.

Junction of Fordbank Road and Ford Lane, June

No Parking cones and signs.

Fordbank Road from Ford Lane, June

No Parking cones. This area would become the central point for the unloading and loading of heavy machinery and equipment over the summer months.

Ford Lane, June

The work on repairing the river bank would last many weeks over the summer. Vehicular access down Ford Lane was limited to the sports ground, where parking was severely restricted, and the allotments.  Vehicles were not allowed to go beyond this point. This resulted in many visitors to the sports ground and others, such as walkers and dog walkers, having to park their cars on the estate especially along the narrow Harefield Drive and the roads off it. It was particularly congested at weekends and evenings when the clubhouse and sports ground were busy. Another slight problem was the dropping of mud on Fordbank Road from vehicles working at the site. The situation, although inconvenient for some local residents, was only temporary and was a necessary price to pay for having the work done on the nearby river bank.

Fordbank Road, 3rd June

Two long articulated lorries transporting cabins wait for the signal to proceed to Bentley’s compound site at Didsbury Sports Ground. The wide nature of the cabins necessitated No Parking cones being placed all along Fordbank Road and at its junctions with Deneford Road and Harefield Drive.

Bentley’s compound site at Didsbury Sports Ground, June

The compound was built at the far end of the car park, the level of which was raised by about 18 inches of gravel. Cabins, JCBs and other relevant equipment were put in place and the whole compound was enclosed by a high fence and protected by the presence of a security guard. Note how the cabins have been placed atop large concrete blocks, presumably to keep them protected in the ironic event of the EA putting the flood storage basin to use. In order to protect the carpark’s surface from being damaged by the weight of the heavy vehicles, special heavy duty site track mats made out of a very hard rubbery plastic material were laid, all of which would contribute to a serious reduction in parking space for members and visitors.

Footway closed on Mersey bank, 3rd June

Walkers, joggers and cyclists now had to make a detour via Stenner Lane and Poplar Avenue to rejoin the river bank.

Fordbank Road near Ford Lane, 23rd June

Low-loader off-loading heavy mechanical digger and tipper truck destined for the works site compound at Didsbury Sports Ground.

Fordbank Road near Ford Lane

Mechanical digger (excavator) and tipper truck.

Tipper truck on Ford Lane

Mechanical digger (excavator) on Fordbank Road near Ford Lane

This machine was just off the production line and this was its first outing with not a mark on it. 

Mechanical digger slowly making its way down Ford Lane, 23rd June