Ribblehead Viaduct found to need extra repairs
NETWORK Rail has discovered that additional work will be needed to safeguard the future of the Settle and Carlisle line’s Grade II-listed Ribblehead Viaduct, which, as previously reported, has been undergoing a £2.1 million restoration.
Stone blockwork and drainage is being upgraded on the historic structure. While the expected repairs have been progressing well, further minor faults in the masonry have been found. Some of the blockwork on the viaduct’s supports is cracked. When water gets inside and freezes in cold weather, it turns to ice and expands, making the damage worse.
Plans have been submitted to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for consent to carry out the extra repairs to the newly-found cracks as soon as possible
Marc Vipham, route asset manager for structures at Network Rail, said: “We’ve found deeper issues which need attention to protect this structure for the future.
“Carrying out these extra repairs now, when the experts are in place and the scaffolding is already up, will save a huge amount of taxpayers’ money and stop us needing to come back all over again.”