‘GlosWarks’ needs £1.5m to fix viaduct

THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE Warwickshire Steam Railway has launched a £1.5 million appeal to fund “urgent repairs” to Stanway Viaduct.

Built in 1903, the 50ft high, 15-arch, brick-built structure first reopened to trains in 2010 when the railway extended from Toddington to Laverton, and forms part of route between Toddington and the current northern terminus at Broadway. However, after decades of water ingress, the viaduct needs urgent structural repairs, for which the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Trust, the line’s supporting charity, has launched the £1.5m appeal.

The work will be conducted in two phases. The first, estimated to cost around £300,000, will be the provision of a new waterproof layer under the ballast, to ensure water flows into the catch pits and away from the bridge deck.

The second, which could start this year, will be repairing the outstanding brickwork on the viaduct, including nine piers, the associated spandrels, arch soffits and parapets. This second phase is expected to cost £1.2m; the railway added: “These works cannot easily be carried out in a single year as it requires skilled bricklayers, so the intention is to spread the work over about three years.”

GWSR plc chairman Richard Johnson commented: “We cannot delay; the work needs to be undertaken as soon as possible, so please do support the appeal.”

The railway said: “If less than the target funding is achieved, the focus of the repairs would be on Phase 1 (the waterproofing), as this will prevent further deterioration.”

● To donate, visit www.gwrt.org.uk