THE defects of an ‘iconic’ 145-year-old viaduct have been highlighted by Network Rail in a planning application for multi-million-pound repairs to ensure ‘the safety of the public visiting to enjoy the structure.’

The company says the Ribblehead Viaduct, near Ingleton, is ‘showing signs of wear and localised defects’.

In a planning application to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, it warned that intervention was required to prevent these defects ‘escalating into a more significant and complex concern’.

A Network Rail spokesman said the ‘presence’ of the viaduct in the landscape was ‘indisputable’ and called it ‘one of the most recognisable and iconic structures on the Settle-Carlisle line, and the British rail network more generally.’

And a £2.1m programme of works has been laid out as the ‘minimum required to preserve this iconic structure whilst ensuring the safe running of the Settle-Carlisle line and the safety of the public visiting to enjoy the structure.’

The spokesman highlighted current problems with the viaduct, which was opened in 1876, as including arch barrel fractures and masonry defects.

He also said there were ‘issues associated with the existing drainage system’.

A suggested programme of ‘remedial interventions’ includes:

- Repair/ replacement of rainwater goods and hoppers.

- Stitching and grouting fractures in the masonry and inserting ‘data marker tabs’ for monitoring.

- Repainting of external metalwork.

Proposals also involve removing vegetation from within 3m of the structure. A report from Thomson Environmental Consultants said a suitable herbicide would be applied ‘to prevent regrowth’ and that vegetation on site was ‘found to consist of common grassland and heathland species.’

Steve Hopkinson, regional director at rail company Northern, described the viaduct as ‘vital’ and ‘much-loved’. He said the work would ensure future generations were ‘able to enjoy one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the UK.’