WATCH: Heritage Services for Network Rail on Grade I Listed Sankey Viaduct

Wardell Armstrong have worked as Heritage Consultants to Network Rail assisting in securing listed building consent approval for a programme of repairs to the Grade I listed Sankey Viaduct.

The viaduct is of exceptional interest as the world’s first major railway viaduct. It was constructed between 1828 and 1830 and formed part of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway line which was the world’s first passenger railway. Designed by the engineer George Stephenson, the viaduct comprise of nine semi-circular arches and eight brick and stone faces piers and carries the railway over the Sankey Valley between St Helens and Warrington.

As Heritage Consultant, Wardell Armstrong have advised Network Rail on a programme of repairs which have included repointing, localised brickwork repairs, mortar repairs to stonework and graffiti removal and have worked with Network Rail contractors and the relevant local planning authorities to ensure the use of appropriate materials within the repairs so that this important railway asset is conserved for future generations and remains in use as part of the active railway network.

This important work to the world’s oldest railway viaduct has been of local and national interest. Technical Director and Service Lead for Archaeology and Heritage, Lorna Goring, recently appeared on the national ITV Evening News. Watch the full news article below.