Monday, May 13, 2013

Saltburn Viaduct to get a facelift.

Network Rail has applied to Redcar and Cleveland Council for listed building consent to repair the 19th century Victorian viaduct off Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn.

Sections of brickwork on the 11-span, Grade II Listed structure are showing signs of wear and tear.

The application is for brickwork replacement to the viaduct, including the repair of open joints, spandrel wall fractures on two spans and on three of the pier legs. Permission is also being sought for additional repointing and brickwork replacement as identified during the work.

The imposing, 180ft-high viaduct - the same height as Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge - is used daily by heavy goods trains travelling across it on their way to and from Cleveland Potash at Boulby.

A report with the planning application states the viaduct was probably designed by Harrison, the company engineer who built a number of structures for the North Eastern Company.

The authorisation for the line was granted in 1865, and the line was opened on June 1, 1872.

The report states: “The viaduct is of historic significance to the area as it was built to serve the Skinningrove ironstone mines.

No archaeological significance has been assessed as part of this application as the works proposed shall not impact on this area.

The asset is of local significance as several similar examples of this type of viaduct exist on the railway network.

The proposed works are sympathetic to the asset and are designed to improve its viability and future maintenance.

If the proposed works are not considered the detrimental impact could be that the structure fails, leading to significant disruption.

The viaduct’s most recent detailed structural examination highlighted several areas with “open mortar joints, spalling brickwork and fracturing”.




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