Work is starting on the new Ordsall chord rail link, which will provide the first direct connection between Piccadilly and Victoria stations in Manchester.
The site is being readied for construction to start this month on the viaduct that will carry the line, connecting the two lines from the main station that can currently only connect in a northbound direction heading towards Salford Crescent.
Although this will provide easier rail access between the north and south of the conurbation, the project has been the subject of a legal challenge by engineer Mark Whitby, as it will cut off the link between the world's first passenger railway station at Liverpool Street, which is part of the Museum of Science and Industry.
While this will stop the museum running steam train excursions along the stretch of line that connects with the current mainline, the court bid to replace the current route with an alternative was rejected last year, although Mr Whitby is appealing.
Past plans to link Piccadilly and Victoria included the underground Picc-Vic line that was cancelled in the 1970s, but there has been a direct tram connection since the Metrolink started running in 1992.
