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Wednesday 18 Oct 2023

Network Rail to host public information event ahead of engineering work on Yarm Viaduct

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

Residents in Yarm are invited to a public information event ahead of Network Rail carrying out major engineering work to the Grade II Listed Yarm Viaduct.

On Tuesday 24 October between 16.30-19.30, representatives from Network Rail will be at Yarm Wellness Centre, High Church Wynd, outlining the work and answering questions about the project.

From November, teams will be working to strengthen the structure and repair masonry on the more than 170-year-old viaduct. Engineers will be completing concrete underpinning by installing piles around the local landmark, leading to more reliable journeys for passengers and freight on a more resilient railway.

Initially, the multi-million-pound project will see engineers carrying out de-vegetation and excavation work under the viaduct’s piers, allowing for concrete underpinning to take place, which supports both the viaduct and surrounding ground.

Masonry repairs will take place on the viaduct from April 2024 before work to install jack piles begins in May 2024. Piling work has previously been carried out to part of the viaduct to strengthen its foundations, and this next phase of work will see piling completed to the remaining archways.

The work is scheduled to be completed by September 2024. Engineers are carrying out the work in a way which means that there will no disruption to train services.

Jake Walton, Senior Asset Engineer at Network Rail, said: “This work is essential to strengthening and maintaining the viaduct for years to come, meaning that journeys will be more reliable as passengers travel on a more resilient rail network. Due to the huge scale of the viaduct, this is an extensive programme of work.

“Because of the viaduct’s unique location, work will be carried out in a way that keeps disruption to our lineside neighbours to a minimum. We want to thank residents for their understanding ahead of the work commencing and invite them to come along to our public information event to find out more and to ask any questions they may have.”