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Coordinates: 53°49′07″N 1°53′14″W / 53.81848°N 1.8873°W / 53.81848; -1.8873
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Changing short description from "Former railway viaduct in Yorkshire" to "Former railway viaduct in West Yorkshire, England"
 
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{{use British English|date=January 2017}}
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[[File:Hewenden Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 358906.jpg|right|thumb|Hewenden Viaduct]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
'''Hewenden Viaduct''', situated near [[Cullingworth]], [[West Yorkshire]], England, stands at {{convert|123|ft|m|0}} tall and spans {{convert|576|yd|m|0}} with 17 arches each of {{convert|16.5|yd|m|0}}.
{{Short description|Former railway viaduct in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name = Hewenden Viaduct
⚫
| image = Hewenden Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 358906.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Hewenden Viaduct
| coordinates = {{Coord|53.81848|-1.8873|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference = SE 07518 35805
| official_name =
| other_name =
| carries = [[Queensbury Lines]] (former)
| crosses =
| locale = [[West Yorkshire]]
| owner =
| maint =
| id =
| id_type =
| architect =
| designer =
| engineering =
| design = [[Arch bridge]]
| material = [[Brick]]
| length =
| width =
| height =
| mainspan =
| spans = 17
| pierswater =
| load =
| clearance =
| below =
| life =
| num_track = 2
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|uksg}}
| structure_gauge =
| electrification =
| builder =
| fabricator =
| begin =
| complete =
| cost =
| open = {{start date|df=y|July 1883}}
| inaugurated =
| preceded =
| followed =
| heritage =
| collapsed =
| closed = {{end date|df=y|October 1963}}
| replaces =
| map_type =
| map_relief =
}}


'''Hewenden Viaduct''', situated near [[Cullingworth]], [[West Yorkshire]], England, originally served as a railway viaduct along the [[Queensbury Lines]]. Being one of the highest viaducts in Britain, it has been recognised as a [[Grade II listed]] structure.
The viaduct originally formed part of the [[Keighley]] and [[Thornton, West Yorkshire|Thornton]] Branch of the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] and, together with the [[mile]]-long [[Lees Moor Tunnel]], opened to passenger trains in 1883.<ref> {{cite news |title=Local & District - Bradford |work=Leeds Times |date=21 July 1883 |accessdate=5 January 2015 |url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000336%2f18830721%2f007 | via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]|subscription=yes}}</ref>


The viaduct was built for the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] to carry a new branch line between [[Keighley]] and [[Thornton, West Yorkshire|Thornton]]. Soon after its official opening in July 1883, the route became of strategic importance for through goods traffic, particularly in connection with the region's extensive textile industry. However, the line's fortunes took a downturn during the twentieth century. During October 1963, the viaduct's use by railway traffic ended as a result of the line's permanently closure. Despite this, it has remained intact. Since 2005, the viaduct has formed part of the [[The Great Northern Railway Trail|Great Northern Railway Trail]], trafficked by walkers and cyclists alike.
It served as a railway viaduct along the [[Queensbury Lines]] and it now forms part of the Great Northern Railway Trail<ref>{{cite web|title=Great Northern Railway Trail, Cullingworth to Keighley|url=http://www.bradford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/923F5709-B5FD-413A-B6F3-9B8B3A2D182C/0/GreatNorthTrailLeaflet.pdf|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Great Northern Railway Trail|url=http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/great-northern-railway-trail|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> for cyclists and walkers. It is a [[Grade II listed]] building. <ref> {{cite web| url= http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1199507| title= Name: HEWENDEN VIADUCT List entry Number: 1199507 |publisher= Historic England|accessdate= 19 June 2015}} </ref>

==History==
The origins of the Hewenden Viaduct are closely associated with the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]], which decided to construct the [[Keighley]] and [[Thornton, West Yorkshire|Thornton]] branch line from its main route. It was recognised that such a railway represented considerable strategic importance, forming a through route that directly linked several major textile towns in the Pennine foothills whilst bypassing congested existing lines around Leeds and Bradford.<ref name = "Yorkshire 2020">{{cite news |url = https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/Walk-11---Bingley-St-Ives-Estate-Goitstock-Wood-Hewenden-Viaduct-And-Cullingwort- |title = Walk 11 - Bingley, St Ives Estate, Goitstock Wood, Hewenden Viaduct And Cullingworth |newspaper = Yorkshire Times |first = James |last = Goodall |date = 9 March 2020 |accessdate=16 August 2020}}</ref>

The route opted for involved several extensive engineering works, including the viaduct, contributing to the railway's colloquial nickname of the ''Alpine Railway''.<ref name = "Yorkshire 2020"/><ref name = "sustrans"/> Construction of the Hewenden Viaduct commenced around 1880, being built in parallel to the neighbouring the [[mile]]-long [[Lees Moor Tunnel]].<ref name = "leeds 1883"/> According to [[English Heritage]], the engineer responsible for designing the viaduct was likely the civil engineer Richard Johnson.<ref name = "heritage"/> Over a century following its construction, the viaduct is still regarded as being one of the highest viaducts anywhere in the [[British Isles]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1449-description |title = West Yorkshire Walk Cullingworth Circular |publisher = walkingbritain.co.uk |accessdate = 16 August 2020}}</ref>

It is an extensive structure, standing at a height of {{convert|123|ft|m|0}} and spanning a distance of {{convert|576|yd|m|0}}, supported by a series of 17 arches, each being {{convert|16.5|yd|m|0}} apart.<ref name = "heritage"/> Due to instability in the ground beneath the viaduct, the foundations of the piers were sunk to a depth in excess of {{convert|60|ft|0}} to ensure that the structure would possess sufficient stability and longevity.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Whitaker |first1=Alan |last2=Rapacz |first2=Jan |title=Great Northern Outpost volume 2; the Halifax, Thornton and Keighley Railway |year=2017 |publisher=Willowherb Publishing |isbn=978-0-9935678-1-0 |page=56}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/heritage-sites/heritage-detail/hewenden-viaduct |title = Hewenden Viaduct |publisher = nationaltransporttrust.org.uk |accessdate = 16 August 2020}}</ref> The five central piers differ from the majority, being considerably thicker and having projecting [[pilaster]]; all piers were provided with a protective stone facing. The [[parapet]]s of the viaduct featured seven projecting retreats, while abutments were located at either end of the structure.<ref name = "heritage"/>

During July 1883, the Hewenden Viaduct was officially opened to passenger trains.<ref name = "leeds 1883">{{cite news |title=Local & District - Bradford |work=Leeds Times |date=21 July 1883 |accessdate=5 January 2015 |url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000336%2f18830721%2f007 | via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Goods trains along the route commenced on 1 April 1884. On 11 November 1963, the viaduct and the wider line was permanently closed to railway traffic, being amongst the many victims of the [[Beeching cuts]].<ref name = "Yorkshire 2020"/>

Shortly after the withdrawal of railway traffic along the branch, the tracks were lifted across the viaduct, but the structure otherwise remained intact. Since October 1985, the Hewenden Viaduct has been recognised by [[English Heritage]] as being a [[Grade II listed]] structure.<ref name = "heritage">{{National Heritage List for England |num=1199507 |desc=Hewenden Viaduct |grade=II |accessdate=4 April 2017}}</ref> The British walking and cycling charity [[Sustrans]] successfully negotiated with the [[British Railways Board]] for a lease of the viaduct's deck for a new walking route, which was constructed in 2005.<ref name = "Yorkshire 2020"/> Presently, the Hewenden Viaduct is being used to carry the [[The Great Northern Railway Trail|Great Northern Railway Trail]], being accessible to both walkers and cyclists.<ref>{{cite web |title=Great Northern Railway Trail, Cullingworth to Keighley |url=http://www.bradford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/923F5709-B5FD-413A-B6F3-9B8B3A2D182C/0/GreatNorthTrailLeaflet.pdf |publisher = www.bradford.gov.uk |accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref><ref name = "sustrans">{{cite web |title=Great Northern Railway Trail |url=http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/great-northern-railway-trail |publisher = sustrans.org.uk |accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Wilsden]]


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{cite web|title=Hewenden Viaduct|url=http://www.transportheritage.com/find-heritage-locations.html?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=365}}
{{Commons category|Hewenden Viaduct}}
* {{cite web |title=Hewenden Viaduct |url=http://www.transportheritage.com/find-heritage-locations.html?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=365 |publisher = via transportheritage.com}}
*{{cite web|title=Hewenden Viaduct|url=http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/gallery/hewenden.html}}
* {{cite web |title=Hewenden Viaduct |url=http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/gallery/hewenden.html |publisher = via forgottenrelics.co.uk}}
{{Viaducts in Yorkshire}}


[[Category:Bridges completed in 1883]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1883]]
[[Category:Bridges in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Railway viaducts in West Yorkshire]]
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[[Category:Railway viaducts in England]]
[[Category:Grade II listed bridges]]
[[Category:Grade II listed bridges]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Former railway bridges in the United Kingdom]]

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[[Category:Viaducts in England]]
{{UK-bridge-struct-stub}}

Latest revision as of 16:40, 9 June 2022

Hewenden Viaduct
Hewenden Viaduct
Coordinates53°49′07″N 1°53′14″W / 53.81848°N 1.8873°W / 53.81848; -1.8873
OS grid referenceSE 07518 35805
CarriesQueensbury Lines (former)
LocaleWest Yorkshire
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
MaterialBrick
No. of spans17
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
History
OpenedJuly 1883 (July 1883)
ClosedOctober 1963 (October 1963)
Location
Map

Hewenden Viaduct, situated near Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, England, originally served as a railway viaduct along the Queensbury Lines. Being one of the highest viaducts in Britain, it has been recognised as a Grade II listed structure.

The viaduct was built for the Great Northern Railway to carry a new branch line between Keighley and Thornton. Soon after its official opening in July 1883, the route became of strategic importance for through goods traffic, particularly in connection with the region's extensive textile industry. However, the line's fortunes took a downturn during the twentieth century. During October 1963, the viaduct's use by railway traffic ended as a result of the line's permanently closure. Despite this, it has remained intact. Since 2005, the viaduct has formed part of the Great Northern Railway Trail, trafficked by walkers and cyclists alike.

History

[edit]

The origins of the Hewenden Viaduct are closely associated with the Great Northern Railway, which decided to construct the Keighley and Thornton branch line from its main route. It was recognised that such a railway represented considerable strategic importance, forming a through route that directly linked several major textile towns in the Pennine foothills whilst bypassing congested existing lines around Leeds and Bradford.[1]

The route opted for involved several extensive engineering works, including the viaduct, contributing to the railway's colloquial nickname of the Alpine Railway.[1][2] Construction of the Hewenden Viaduct commenced around 1880, being built in parallel to the neighbouring the mile-long Lees Moor Tunnel.[3] According to English Heritage, the engineer responsible for designing the viaduct was likely the civil engineer Richard Johnson.[4] Over a century following its construction, the viaduct is still regarded as being one of the highest viaducts anywhere in the British Isles.[5]

It is an extensive structure, standing at a height of 123 feet (37 m) and spanning a distance of 576 yards (527 m), supported by a series of 17 arches, each being 16.5 yards (15 m) apart.[4] Due to instability in the ground beneath the viaduct, the foundations of the piers were sunk to a depth in excess of 60 feet (18 m) to ensure that the structure would possess sufficient stability and longevity.[6][7] The five central piers differ from the majority, being considerably thicker and having projecting pilaster; all piers were provided with a protective stone facing. The parapets of the viaduct featured seven projecting retreats, while abutments were located at either end of the structure.[4]

During July 1883, the Hewenden Viaduct was officially opened to passenger trains.[3] Goods trains along the route commenced on 1 April 1884. On 11 November 1963, the viaduct and the wider line was permanently closed to railway traffic, being amongst the many victims of the Beeching cuts.[1]

Shortly after the withdrawal of railway traffic along the branch, the tracks were lifted across the viaduct, but the structure otherwise remained intact. Since October 1985, the Hewenden Viaduct has been recognised by English Heritage as being a Grade II listed structure.[4] The British walking and cycling charity Sustrans successfully negotiated with the British Railways Board for a lease of the viaduct's deck for a new walking route, which was constructed in 2005.[1] Presently, the Hewenden Viaduct is being used to carry the Great Northern Railway Trail, being accessible to both walkers and cyclists.[8][2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Goodall, James (9 March 2020). "Walk 11 - Bingley, St Ives Estate, Goitstock Wood, Hewenden Viaduct And Cullingworth". Yorkshire Times. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Great Northern Railway Trail". sustrans.org.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Local & District - Bradford". Leeds Times. 21 July 1883. Retrieved 5 January 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Hewenden Viaduct (Grade II) (1199507)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  5. ^ "West Yorkshire Walk Cullingworth Circular". walkingbritain.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  6. ^ Whitaker, Alan; Rapacz, Jan (2017). Great Northern Outpost volume 2; the Halifax, Thornton and Keighley Railway. Willowherb Publishing. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-9935678-1-0.
  7. ^ "Hewenden Viaduct". nationaltransporttrust.org.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Great Northern Railway Trail, Cullingworth to Keighley" (PDF). www.bradford.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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