Arnside Viaduct

{{Short description|Railway bridge in Cumbria, England}} [[File:Arnside Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 324585.jpg|248x248px|Arnside Viaduct in 2007|alt=Arnside Viaduct in 2007|thumb]] '''Arnside Viaduct''' is a viaduct carrying the [[Furness line|Lancaster to Barrow]] railway line over the [[River Kent]]. Construction started in 1856, finished in 1857 and expanded to a two-track railway in 1863.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arnside Viaduct {{!}} Co-Curate |url=https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/arnside-viaduct/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=co-curate.ncl.ac.uk}}</ref> It received a major upgrade and repair in the 21st century. It is approximately 505 meters long, with a total of 51 piers. It is situated where the River Kent disgorges into [[Morecambe Bay]]. It is located in the county of [[Cumbria]] but very close to the county of [[Lancashire]] border. It is cited as a major tourist attraction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Lisa |date=2017-06-03 |title=Arnside - Six interesting things to see |url=https://www.lancasterdistrict.co.uk/arnside-six-interesting-things-see/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Lancaster District Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arnside Station and Viaduct |url=https://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/arnside-station/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Visit Cumbria |language=en-GB}}</ref> As it goes over the River Kent, it is sometimes referred to as the Kent Viaduct. It is notable in that it was the first viaduct in the world to use water jetting to dig the piles in construction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-01 |title=Arnside Viaduct – Spectacular Engineering - Lake District |url=https://kentsbankholiday.co.uk/arnside-viaduct-furness-railway/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was substantially rebuilt and strengthened in 1915 to allow wartime supplies to and from Barrow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arnside Online, Cumbria, England - Local History |url=https://www.arnside-online.co.uk/history.htm |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=www.arnside-online.co.uk}}</ref>

== 21st-century reconstruction and repair ==

Because of its age and its being in an estuary that is also subject to bore tides, the viaduct deteriorated over time, and so speed limits were imposed on trains. Although the bore is smaller than the River Severn, there is considerable turbulence at the viaduct.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geograph:: Arnside Viaduct © Arnold Price |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/324585 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.geograph.org.uk}}</ref> This combination of factors meant a major repair was due, but this could not be done without a total blockade and closure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Case Study - Arnside Viaduct |url=https://www.engineeringintegration.net/case-studies/arnside-viaduct-2/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Engineering Integration |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=VITAL REVAMP FOR ARNSIDE VIADUCT |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/vital-revamp-for-arnside-viaduct |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Network Rail Media Centre |language=english}}</ref> The viaduct also has further restrictions in that it is in an area of [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|Special Scientific Interest]] and also a [[National parks of the United Kingdom|National Park]]. The [[Arnside and Silverdale|Arnside and Silverdale location]] is an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. A 16-week line closure was thus planned for 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reconstruction of Arnside Viaduct |url=https://www.networkrailconsulting.com/our-capabilities/network-rail-projects/reconstruction-of-arnside-viaduct/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.networkrailconsulting.com}}</ref> As part of the upgrade and repair, jointed rails were replaced by continuously welded rail reducing the noise and enabling quieter journeys. The journey times were also reduced.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-07-18 |title=Repaired Arnside viaduct 'to cut travel times' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-14184705 |access-date=2023-11-01}}</ref> The closure was 16 weeks duration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-18 |title=Rail services resume as Arnside Viaduct reopens |url=https://railuk.com/rail-news/rail-services-resume-as-arnside-viaduct-reopens/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Rail UK |language=en-US}}</ref>

Money was later made available to allow construction of a walking and cycling path across the viaduct.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=Artist impressions released of proposed Arnside walking and cycling viaduct |url=https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/23112637.artist-impressions-arnside-viaduct-grange-released/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=The Westmorland Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-11-26 |title=Arnside viaduct on track for new footpath and cycle bridge |work=Lancaster Guardian |url=https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/arnside-viaduct-on-track-for-new-footpath-and-cycle-bridge-202630}}</ref>

<gallery> File:Arnside Viaduct -tide out 06.jpg|Arnside Viaduct - memorial plaque to the project with construction dates File:Arnside Viaduct -tide coming in.jpg|Arnside Viaduct -tide out File:Arnside Viaduct -tide in.jpg|Arnside Viaduct -tide in File:Arnside Viaduct -tide out.jpg|Arnside Viaduct -tide out File:Arnside Viaduct -close up showing signal.jpg|Arnside Viaduct -approaches with signal File:Arnside Viaduct -from station platform with signal and signal box.jpg|Arnside Viaduct -from station platform with signal and signal box File:Engineering works on the Kent Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 2405665.jpg|Engineering works on the Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 2405665 </gallery>

== See also == * [[Leven Viaduct]] * [[Ribblehead Viaduct]] * [[Dent Head Viaduct]]

==References== <references/>

[[Category:Railway viaducts in Cumbria]] [[Category:Railway upgrades in the United Kingdom]]