It was such a lovely day for walking that we decided to carry on further, beyond Goit Stock and up and over Hewenden Viaduct. Once part of the Great Northern Railway, it was constructed in the early 1880s and, at 123 ft (37m), is one of the highest viaducts in Britain, with very deep foundations to cope with the unstable rock on which it stands. It has 17 arches. Remarkably, there were no lives lost in the building of the huge structure, although a navvy broke his leg in an accident with a crane.
Sadly the rail line was closed in 1963 (a victim of the infamous Beeching cuts). It has been transformed in recent years into a walking and cycling route, the Great Northern Railway Trail.
Adjacent to the viaduct is a reservoir (below), now owned by Yorkshire Water. Constructed in the 1840s, it was apparently the dam's existence that necessitated the viaduct. An earlier plan, routing the railway along the hillside, was vetoed for fear it would pollute the water.
It's a lovely area for walking and a lovely time of year too, with hawthorn in bloom and lots of wild flowers in the meadows and hedgerows. The photo below could have been improved if I hadn't rushed it in order not to lose sight of my friend striding ahead! Just liked the typical, blossomy, meadowy scene.
Hewenden Viaduct has beautiful stonework.Flanders and Swann recorded "The Slow Train" on which the names of many long-closed stations were mentioned. It was very poignant.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful structure! And the entire landscape is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteGlad you paused to take that tree's photo. Love the viaduct too! Would have like to see how they've set up the walking/biking area where tracks used to be...maybe next time!
ReplyDeleteYour pic of the viaduct is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAn impressive structure.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that the railway bridge is still being used for other purposes, such a historical spot shouldn't be wasted.
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