A MAJOR project is set to be unveiled to reinforce and upgrade one of the best-used railway bridges in Pendle.

Around £1.26million will be invested in the overhaul for Walton Lane bridge in Nelson during the current financial year.

Work has already been undertaken by Network Rail to protect weaker sections of the bridge over the railway track, ahead of the bulk of the work being undertaken.

County council chiefs have been asked to contribute £63,350, as the highways authority for Nelson.

Coun Mohammed Iqbal, who represents Nelson North and Brierfield, said the bridge was well-used by people travelling to and from Marsden Heights Community College and the nearby Marsden Park.

“Clearly this work should be welcomed if it reinforcies what is a very popular bridge running through Nelson,” he said.

But he also called on rail authorities to consider improving the condition of rolling stock and embankments alongside the track.

“Network Rail should also be looking at replacing some of the trains which are in use along this line, and tackling the amount of litter you see along the side of the line,” added Coun Iqbal, who is also Labour group leader on Pendle council.

Similar investment in railway bridges is also expected across East Lancashire and Chorley over the next 12 months.

Strengthening work is expected for Brownhill Bridge, near Ramsgreave station, which takes Pleckgate Road over the Blackburn-Hellifield line, and for the Three Arches bridge, which takes Church Lane over the northern union line at Charnock Richard, Chorley.

A date for the work in Nelson to take place has still to be set and traffic disruption in the area is likely as a result.