OUSE VALLEY VIADUCT

We recently completed works at the iconic Ouse Valley Viaduct for our valued client Octavius. Providing skilled labour and brickwork specialists for breaking out defective areas of spalled brickwork and installing new bricks as per NR/CIV/SD/101 & NR/CIV/SD/102.

All works carried out safely and within the programme schedule, despite being hit by Storm Ciaran in early November. Our team very much enjoyed working at Ouse Valley, featuring on the local news and being part of the long-term restoration of this viaduct which has been termed “probably the most elegant viaduct in Britain”.

Incredible to think that works started in 1839 and by 1841 train services were operating across it. In places the viaduct reaches 29m in height and is carried on 37 semi-circular arches each of 9.1m in height, surmounted by balustrades spanning a total length of 450m. Each pier contains a jack arch with a semi-circular soffit, and this is what attracts photographers and visitors from far and wide. The eight pavilions which sit on top of the viaduct further add to the character and appeal of this heritage asset.

Containing some 11 million bricks our small repairs will hopefully go some way to lengthening the lifespan of this amazing viaduct, a structure that over the decades has seen constant maintenance, even as far back as 1890 where sections of the brickwork were strengthened. Along with the major refurbishment project that took place during the 1990’s.