Media centre

Thursday 15 Feb 2007

CLAPHAM AND WENNING VIADUCT WORK SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

Region & Route:

A scheme to waterproof Clapham and Wenning viaduct, which carries the Skipton to Morecambe line over the River Wenning, has been successfully completed on time by Network Rail - in fact, it finished 12 hours early. Gary Openshaw, Area General Manager said: “There are 15,000 structures in the north west and they require regular maintenance to ensure the future of the railway. Although this scheme has been slightly disruptive to passengers it was essential to ensure this important rural route could remain open for many years to come.” This £620,000 scheme started at the end of January and has just been completed. The work involved removing the tracks and ballast from the viaduct and stripping back all the old materials to the viaduct deck. Repairs were then carried out to the steelwork and a lightweight concrete was laid on top of the structure which allowed the waterproof membrane to be attached more easily. New ballast, sleepers and track was then re-laid as well as a new more effective, drainage system being installed. The work was completed yesterday (Sunday 18 February 2007) and the line reopened to trains first thing this morning.