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Thursday 24 Feb 2022

Victorian viaduct river erosion work restarts after major storms

Region & Route:

North West & Central: North West

| North West & Central

Urgent repairs to a Victorian railway viaduct over the River Tame in Greater Manchester have restarted after three major storms forced Network Rail engineers to down tools.

More than 5,500 tonnes of large boulders are being laid at the foot of the Reddish Vale viaduct near Stockport to stop its bases - also known as piers - from being eroded by fast flowing river water.

However work had to stop for several days when the River Tame swelled to unsafe levels after storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.

Now the essential repairs have restarted to protect the 147-year-old structure and keep trains running safely on the Hope Valley line above for decades to come.

Chris Pye, Network Rail’s North West infrastructure director, said: “While we tried our best to keep working during these three storms, we had to briefly stop work at Reddish Vale for safety reasons.

“The recent weather shows exactly why it’s so important for us to shore up the foundations of this iconic Victorian-built structure and protect it from further erosion. I would like to thank local people and businesses for their patience and understanding while the work takes place.” 

The anti-erosion work started in January and in the first few weeks further inspections of the Grade II listed structure found more areas which needed protection.

It means the project will take slightly longer than planned and run into March.

Parents and guardians at nearby schools are being advised of the continued presence of construction vehicles along Lambeth Road and Reddish Vale Road.

Passengers are not being affected during the upgrade with trains running on the Hope Valley line as normal between Greater Manchester the Peak District and Sheffield.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “Improvements like these are essential in delivering our long-term strategy to create a better railway for the North and is a great example of the rail industry working together to improve the network.

"We are sorry for any disruption while the work takes place and our customers can be assured that both Northern and Network Rail will do everything possible to keep them on the move.”

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, said: “This is really urgent work, and I'm very pleased that Network Rail are taking action before any further erosion occurs. 

"The Reddish Vale viaduct is not only an iconic piece of architecture for both Reddish and Denton, but also a vital transport and rail link. It's important that we protect it for generations to come.”

Cllr Sheila Bailey, cabinet member for Sustainable Stockport, said: “Stockport Council has been incredibly supportive of the work taking place on Reddish Vale viaduct to ensure it is protected from the effects of erosion caused by the River Tame.

“We have been liaising with all parties for the best outcome for users of the park and mitigation has been agreed for any loss of habitats or trees in the area while the vital works have been taking place.”

The viaduct, in the Reddish Vale area of Stockport, was built in 1875 and carries the railway over the Tame Valley.

Network Rail is committed to carrying out this work so it doesn’t harm the river or its wildlife.

For that reason specialists from the Environment Agency and ecological consultants are overseeing the project.