Client

Northern Viaduct Trust

Value

£830k

Duration

6 months

THE PROJECT

Smardale Gill Viaduct, a 14-arch structure spanning 170 meters long and 27 meters high, was decommissioned in the 1960s and later converted into a pedestrian bridge in 1989. Following the successful completion of waterproofing works in 2023, Story were contracted to return to the viaduct to undertake masonry repairs to the arches and piers, ensuring the long-term preservation of the Grade II listed structure.

A primary challenge for this project was accessing the arches for the necessary masonry repairs. This was effectively addressed by employing rope access techniques instead of traditional scaffolding. A cradle system was utilised for arch repairs, while abseiling stonemasons carried out the repairs on the piers.

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The project involved the following main work activities:

  • Protect the surrounding site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation.
  • Set up of temporary works
  • Replacement damaged and missing stone
  • Piecing in of existing stone
  • Installation of cintec anchors
  • Re-pointed existing stone work
  • Vegetation management
  • Lime grouting to existing voids

Through early contractor involvement, Story was able to attend meetings with the client to advise on key areas of the works. This included carrying out a stone measure and ordering the stone ahead of time to ensure that when it was time to start on site, the team hit the ground running with a constant flow of stone deliveries.

It was agreed that Story would change subcontractor for the stonework, so as to ensure completion of the works within the allocated timescales, as the original supplier didn’t instill confidence that they would be able to finish the project in 2024.

The newly selected subcontractor not only fulfilled the original scope of works, but eventually installed more than double the amount of stone replacement than was expected at the tender stage.

Thanks to the hard work of everyone on site, all the repair works were successfully completed by the end of November 2024.

Smardale Gill Viaduct is a Grade II listed structure, situated within an area of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. As such works were planned to ensure no negative impact on either the structure or the surrounding environment, with ecologists attending site throughout the projects to ensure the protection of local wildlife.

The structure also forms part of a popular walking route and as such, all works were planned in order to allow public access to be maintained throughout.

130
stones repaired

1,800m3
of existing stonework repointed

20m3
of lime grout installed

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