Rail pioneer descendant calls for viaduct’s plaque to be restored
A DESCENDANT of a locomotive pioneer has called on rail bosses to restore a dilapidated plaque which marks the construction of a famous viaduct.
The stone plaque on Yarm’s viaduct marks the engineers, superintendent and contractors behind the 19th century crossing, but the passing of time has taken its toll on the stone tablet with weeds and dirt lining its engravings.
Coun Andrew Sherris, who can name George Stephenson in his family tree, wants Network Rail to restore the plaque ahead of the 200th anniversary of the first “promoters meeting” of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
The Yarm councillor said: “The stone plaque not only commemorates a fantastic engineering achievement but is also a key part of the industrial heritage of Yarm and the North-east.
“As we celebrate the 200th anniversary
of the inaugural meeting of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, this plaque on the viaduct needs to be a visible feature as we seek to boost our visitor numbers to our town and high street.”
The viaduct opened on May 15, 1852, and cost £44,500 to build from 7.5m bricks.
Coun Sherris said he had spoken to Network Rail about renovating the plaque last year after complaints about its condition.
He added: “I realise it is not straightforward and needs incorporating into a future maintenance programme.
“Network Rail have said it is costly as a stand-alone job, but can work this into future work when there is reason to work at a height above the river.
“Yarm remains the birthplace of the railways and we need to attract visitors to the town.”
Despite the optimism, hopes of getting the plaque restored in the near future appear to have been dashed.
A Network Rail spokeswoman said the organisation understood how important railway heritage was, but funding was finite and the priority must be to keep the country’s railway running reliably and safely.