£8.2M Works On Piers And Foundations Of Victorian Era Yarm Viaduct Near Completion

Significant restoration efforts on the historic Yarm Viaduct are nearing completion, with Network Rail undertaking vital work to secure the integrity of the Grade II listed structure.

This £8.2M project is set to enhance the reliability of services on the Northallerton to Eaglescliffe line for both passengers and freight.

Originally constructed between 1848 and 1852, the viaduct running through the North Yorkshire town of Yarm features 43 arches and spans 690m. However, during its original construction, foundations for 14 of its piers were not embedded in bedrock. With some foundations relying on timber that has deteriorated over time, this led to concerns about structural stability as slight movements were noted along the viaduct.

To address these issues and prevent potentially severe disruptions to rail services, Network Rail, assisted by contractor AmcoGiffen, has implemented a modern engineering solution. This involved cutting holes through the bottoms of the piers to insert horizontal steel beams, which were then encased in concrete blocks.

Hole through base of Yarm Viaduct pier (Left) before steel beam inserted and cemented in (right)

A total of 656 piles have been drilled 13m deep into the bedrock, connecting the new supports to the classic structure, effectively fusing the contemporary restoration techniques with the historical icon.

Given the viaduct's proximity to residential areas, the engineering team opted for the noise-reducing method of jack piling. This hydraulic-driven technique minimises vibrations and disruption, which has been crucial in maintaining a good relationship with the local community during the 14-month work period.

Concrete pour around the protruding steel beams at the base of one of Yarm Viaduct's piers

The completion of this project in the new year will coincide with Railway 200, commemorating 200 years since the first passenger railway began operating between Darlington and Stockton in 1825. The successful reinforcement of Yarm Viaduct will not only preserve its historical value but will also ensure its continued use well into the future.

Network Rail portfolio delivery director Jon Calvert said: “The Victorians did a great job in building this huge structure high over Yarm, but they did not know the same about the geology deep underground as we do today, leading to some of the foundations not being as strong as the others.

“Without this multi-million-pound investment, eventually it could have affected the stability of the historic viaduct and resulted in lengthy delays to passenger and freight trains. Doing this preventative work – all while keeping trains running normally above – secures not only the future of the viaduct for our passengers – but also its future as a much-loved icon for people in the town.”

TransPennine Express operations director Rob Cox said: “The Yarm Viaduct is a crucial part of our network and I’d like to thank our colleagues at Network Rail and fellow train operators for their support and hard work throughout this project.

“The work to this historic structure will mean we can keep passengers on the move in the future.”

Looking up at one of Yarm Viaduct's ribbed brick spans

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