Emergency crews were called to a ‘major structural collapse’ at the construction site next to the Barton Bridge on the M60.

The huge steel platform forming the deck of the Salford vertical lifting bridge is understood to have fallen nearly 60 feet to the ground from four supporting concrete towers at around 9.30am.

The deck had been in the raised position for two months during construction, but in the aftermath of the collapse the steel cables supporting the structure were snapped, according to an eyewitness.

According to the emergency services workers escaped injury and have all been accounted for.

A joint venture between Hochtief and Buckingham Group Contracting secured the project to construct the bridge to ease congestion between Peel’s Port of Salford scheme and the Trafford Centre.

Work started in May 2015 and was expected to be completed by the second half of 2016.

It is believed the bridge was to be weight tested this morning, although this has still not been officially confirmed.

Picture of the bridge during construction earlier this year

The finished vertical bridge was designed to carry a dual carriageway helping to ease congestion from the new Port of Salford

Safety inspectors are to investigate the scene of the deck collapse

The lifting bridge is being constructed as part of a £50m project to improve traffic flow around the area in the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “A bridge collapsed near the Barton Bridge structure next to the Manchester Ship Canal.

“We are liaising with the construction managers. Thankfully nobody has been involved.

“The ambulance crew has been released. Police remain at the scene investigating.”