News & Media > Rail Services
29:12:2011
Salmon river spawns new rail bridge
The deck of Cummersdale Viaduct, which carries the twin track Cumbria coast railway over the River Caldew between Carlisle and Dalston, is being completely replaced in a £1m project designed to keep this vital rural rail route open for years to come.
Chris Chatfield, Network Rail's scheme project manager, said: “The deck of the existing viaduct is made of timber planks, which are now life expired and need replacing. Rail mounted equipment will be used to lift out the old timbers and install the new steel deck units, which come in 46 pieces.”
Work started on Christmas Eve after train services stopped running and continued until first thing on Wednesday 28 December.
Scaffolding was attached to the underside of the viaduct and covered in an environmental wrap to protect the river below. This part of the project had to be completed in September before the start of the salmon spawning season.
Chris Chatfield explained: “We need to carry out scour protection work. This stops the flow of the river eroding the viaduct piers, but to do this we actually need to work on the river bed. However, the salmon breeding season lasts from September to June so we will have to come back next summer to finish the work.”
The new viaduct will be painted a holly green colour to blend in with the surrounding countryside.
