Batley's "second" viaduct... Survived longer than I thought!

[61653 HTAFC]

Recently, my brother sent me this photo (I don't have a source for it beyond that, unfortunately) which shows the viaduct adjacent to Batley station with a second viaduct alongside. The presence of the refurbished class 141 means this photo cannot date from any earlier than 1988.


This raises a few questions for me that hopefully some of our more knowledgeable members may be able to answer.
Firstly, when was this second viaduct eventually demolished? I'd have assumed it would have been back in the 1960s, but this photo obviously proves otherwise.
Secondly, when that viaduct was in use, what was it used for? Did the tracks on this viaduct connect with the existing surviving route, or was it always just part of one of the several closed lines in the area? Was it used as freight loops for the surviving line after the other routes were closed?
Thirdly, how did it survive so long? Presumably the tracks would have been lifted long before the photo was taken?

Finally (and I appreciate we're getting into speculation with this one!), if the structure had survived to today, what use (if any) could it have served as part of the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade? Could we have seen an additional four-track section through Batley? (Of course the Dewsbury area would prevent full four-tracking in any case, but dynamic loops between Batley Carr and the western portal of Morley Tunnel may have been useful).

Hopefully someone can shed some light on these questions. The photo is a remarkable time-capsule in any case! (I think I can just about see the roof of the building I live in!).

 

[Spartacus]

Recently, my brother sent me this photo (I don't have a source for it beyond that, unfortunately) which shows the viaduct adjacent to Batley station with a second viaduct alongside. The presence of the refurbished class 141 means this photo cannot date from any earlier than 1988.

View attachment 212829
This raises a few questions for me that hopefully some of our more knowledgeable members may be able to answer.
Firstly, when was this second viaduct eventually demolished? I'd have assumed it would have been back in the 1960s, but this photo obviously proves otherwise.
Secondly, when that viaduct was in use, what was it used for? Did the tracks on this viaduct connect with the existing surviving route, or was it always just part of one of the several closed lines in the area? Was it used as freight loops for the surviving line after the other routes were closed?
Thirdly, how did it survive so long? Presumably the tracks would have been lifted long before the photo was taken?

Finally (and I appreciate we're getting into speculation with this one!), if the structure had survived to today, what use (if any) could it have served as part of the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade? Could we have seen an additional four-track section through Batley? (Of course the Dewsbury area would prevent full four-tracking in any case, but dynamic loops between Batley Carr and the western portal of Morley Tunnel may have been useful).

Hopefully someone can shed some light on these questions. The photo is a remarkable time-capsule in any case! (I think I can just about see the roof of the building I live in!).

I don't think it lasted long beyond then.

The viaduct was park of the GNR route to Dewsbury Central, the on to Ossett & Wakefield Westgate, which immediately after crossing the viaduct went under the LNWR lines, so at that end the viaduct was significantly lower than at the Batley end or connecting to the L&Y near where the cement terminal in Dewsbury is now. Most of the bit south of Dewsbury Central's walkable today.

I guess there was was just need to bring it down while it was still in good order. I do remember improvements and realignment to Grange Road taking place at a similar time, perhaps early 90s, to the viaduct being demolished, so that might have prompted it. Previously 'through' traffic towards Shaw Cross all went up Mill Lane, but when Grange Road was done that became the main route.

If it still stood couldn't have been used today without significant work due to being on a lower level between Batley & Dewsbury, and was even lower at the Dewsbury end than the Batley end, passing through a (still existing) tunnel between Wood Lane and Greaves Road to reach Dewsbury Central.

There's more photos, including of the demolition, here.

Dewsbury Loop

As an aside the John Gregson & Diana Dors movie 'Value For Money' has a few good shots from steam days of the viaducts. Even though it was largely filmed in Batley, Diana Dors didn't travel, so any shot with her in is a studio recreation, or filmed somewhere else entirely; most are ABSURDLY good, especially because often the real buildings they copied didn't appear in the movie itself they've, so they've no need to be such accurate models.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There are a handful of newspaper reports in the "Batley News" in early 1993, warning of local road closures, which mention that the landmark viaduct over Grange Road, Batley, was being demolished by the contractors in various stages, starting with a 'controlled explosion' on or around Sunday 7th March 1993, with the demolition work mostly completed later that same month.

 

[Spartacus]

There are a handful of newspaper reports in the "Batley News" in early 1993, warning of local road closures, which mention that the landmark viaduct over Grange Road, Batley, was being demolished by the contractors in various stages, starting with a 'controlled explosion' on or around Sunday 7th March 1993, with the demolition work mostly completed later that same month.

'93 tallies with when I thought Grange Road/Challenge Way was done, making me think it was the imputus behind it.