We’re investing £7.5m this summer to renew one of Chapel Milton’s twin viaducts – an iconic 160-year-old structure – and secure its future as a freight powerhouse.
Powering the construction industry
You may never travel over this particular viaduct, but it plays a vital role in keeping the country moving.
The Chapel Milton Viaduct is nestled in the heart of the Peak District where it’s ideally located to move material from four major Derbyshire quarries.
In fact, about 25,000 tonnes of stone, cement and limestone travel across the 230-metre-long viaduct every day. These materials are essential for the construction industry, helping build homes, roads and even parts of our railway across the country.
And the viaduct is the only route out of for these four quarries. Several construction sites and building projects would be cut from their source of stone without it. About 110 freight trains cross the viaduct each week, replacing up to 14,190 lorry journeys – easing congestion on the roads and giving you cleaner air.
Our renewal is essential to allow freight trains to carry the same amount of material when crossing the viaduct. Without it, we would have to reduce the weight of the materials in the wagons that so many building works rely on.
David Hunter, a senior freight manager at Network Rail, said: “The importance of this route cannot be under-estimated.”
A vital upgrade
That’s why we’re giving this essential bridge a 21st-century upgrade while taking great care to preserve many of its striking original features.
David said: “It is a Grade II listed Victorian structure and requires a modern touch to make sure freight trains can pass over it safely and efficiently for generations to come.”
Engineers will repair brickwork carefully, making sure that any new bricks we add are the same material and colour as the original. And we’ll strengthen the parapets – or protective walls – that run along the edge of the viaduct.
We’ll fill the gaps across each of the 15 spans of the bridge to further strengthen it by improving its foundation.
A new waterproofing and drainage systems will also help keep the line running during increasingly rainy and stormy weather.
Meanwhile, we’ll replace the railway track to keep freight journeys riding smoothly on the track.
And we’ll add new safety features such as handrails and guardrails for maintenance crews.
Minimising disruption
We’ve carefully planned the project to minimise disruption and ensure our work has little impact on the regional economy this essential route supports.
A nine-day closure of the freight line running through the viaduct is scheduled from 29 August to 7 September when the most intensive work will take place. But we’ve worked closely with freight operators to ensure services can continue with minimal impact.
Our renewal will ensure this vital freight route continues running safely and reliably for years to come. It’s a reminder that even the quietest and most picturesque corners of our railway play a vital role in powering Britain.
