£3m to restore railway viaduct
AN 180-YEAR-OLD viaduct designed by railway pioneer George Stephenson is undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration to improve passenger journeys and secure its future for generations to come.
The £3.7m Great North Rail Project investment will see the 1840-built Grade II listed Gauxholme viaduct grit-blasted to its bare metal for structural repairs to take place.
The important piece of railway heritage, which spans the Rochdale Canal, will then be deep cleaned and repainted back to its Victorian splendour.
Taylors bridge, which carries the railway over Rose Bank
Road near Todmorden station, will also be completely reconstructed with two disused sections permanently removed as part of the same investment.
Both projects mean the railway through Todmorden will be entirely closed from October 24 until November 1.
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The upgrade and repair work near Todmorden is key to futureproofing the rail network in the area and will give Northern customers a modern infrastructure for many years to come between Hebden Bridge and Rochdale.”
Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley, said: “I am incredibly delighted that funding in the region of £3.7m is being invested locally to restore the 1840s Grade II listed Gauxholme viaduct here in Todmorden.
“It is so important to renovate such structures – these form part of our history.
“Here in Todmorden we are blessed with some amazing buildings and structures, the past forms part our future.”
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