Is this structure close to failure?

[Spaceflower]

Can anyone offer an opinion on the possible danger posed by this structure?

http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=451

 

[DarloRich]

where is it?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Some pictures showing the whole structure would be nice, close ups don't tell the whole picture. Although it looks bad it does not look close to failure. Masonry can look awful but still maintain strength.

 

[northwichcat]

A question to ask is what rail traffic goes near it. There was a badly maintained wall on an embankment close to Knutsford station which did collapse. However, this has multiple freight trains carrying limestone going near it everyday. If it had been on the Denton line I doubt it would have collapsed.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

A question to ask is what rail traffic goes near it. There was a badly maintained wall on an embankment close to Knutsford station which did collapse. However, this has multiple freight trains carrying limestone going near it everyday. If it had been on the Denton line I doubt it would have collapsed.

There was a partial retaining wall section collapse last October at Cornholme on the Copy Pit line which was in exactly the same position as in a previous repaired collapse. That line carries the regular York to Blackpool North service run by Northern Rail.

 

[bluenoxid]

Can anyone offer an opinion on the possible danger posed by this structure?

http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=451

Without further pictures showing the location and usage of the structure, I would struggle to offer advice on the possible danger posed by the structure.

Based on what I can see, that appears to be a substantial crack. My advice would be to let the bridge owner know. This may be easier said than done if the bridge is no longer part of the operational rail infrastructure. Full on masonry bridge collapses are rare but losing chunks would cause substantial damage to life or assets sitting under it.

If your gut is giving you a funny feeling, it is better to report it.

 

[telstarbox]

The number to call is 08457 11 41 41 if you are concerned.

 

[JohnCarlson]

I wouldn't go into all the ifs, buts and maybes. I would just report it.

Its not our responsibility, its not our job to make decisions and think how you would feel later if it did fall down.

Best

John.

 

[Spaceflower]

Hi, Thanks for the advice.

Its a disused viaduct (Belmont viaduct, near Durham). As for reporting it, would this fall unter the county councils remit?

Many thanks.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Its a disused viaduct (Belmont viaduct, near Durham). As for reporting it, would this fall under the county councils remit

Is this the same edifice that was known as the Brasside viaduct that up to 1964 carried services between Durham and Sunderland ? If so, it is a Grade II listed structure.

 

[Spaceflower]

Is this the same edifice that was known as the Brasside viaduct that up to 1964 carried services between Durham and Sunderland ? If so, it is a Grade II listed structure.

Sounds the same but is named as 'Belmont viaduct' on OS maps.

http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/

grid ref NZ 297 449

 

[John Webb]

Are these cracks recent, or have they been there for some time? As several others have said, I'd just report what you have seen. If it is a listed structure, then English Heritage may be worth contacting. (Their listing index may also tell you who the actual owner is.)

 

[Cliveblackpool]

As it is disused, I would not have thought there would be any immediate problems. If it was brought into use probably be a figure of several hundred thousand!
Hopefully it won't be left too long before it receives some TLC.

Is there vegetation on the top, eg trees? Root growth can be very destructive.
The worst of the crack appears to be near to the top of the arch voussoirs.

 

[DarloRich]

Contact NR on the number provided and take it from there

 

[sprinterguy]

Contact NR on the number provided and take it from there

Would a structure on a disused alignment such as this, and one that has been disused for so long, still fall under Network Rail ownership? I would have thought that it would have been sold off long ago, but perhaps I am wrong.

 

[DarloRich]

Would a structure on a disused alignment such as this, and one that has been disused for so long, still fall under Network Rail ownership? I would have thought that it would have been sold off long ago, but perhaps I am wrong.

it depends - lots of disused structures still vest with NR. Ring them and take it fro mthere

 

[edwin_m]

Structures with no foreseen railway use at the time of privatisation ended up with BRB Residuary. The link below appears to be the place to contact:

http://www.brbr.co.uk/structures

 

[sprinterguy]

Thanks for the information, both - I am genuinely interested to hear that routes that have been disused and dismantled for so many years may still fall under railway ownership.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Just found that there were plans to use it as a cycle route etc
Sadly it has fallen through.
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...mont-viaduct-go-off-the-rails-61634-30674953/

The Belmont Viaduct in Durham City
AMBITIOUS plans to re-open a former railway viaduct for cyclists and walkers appear to have finally come off the rails.
Despite £500,000 People’s Lottery money being made available to reopen Belmont Viaduct, on the outskirts of Durham, the money has now been diverted elsewhere............

 

[TheEdge]

Thanks for the information, both - I am genuinely interested to hear that routes that have been disused and dismantled for so many years may still fall under railway ownership.

My understanding is a lot of old infrastructure that wasn't specifically sold off by BR went to the BRB and now remain the responsibility of NR.

 

[fsmr]

This railway bridge over the old Rugby to Wigston junction line in Leicestershire is privately owned and despite carrying a footpath, is the responsibility of the land owner to maintain. It is currently closed off by the council due to its dangerous condition


http://www.thisisleicestershire.co....tory-18003284-detail/story.html#axzz2S8HwNmOO

People are putting themselves at risk by vandalising barriers to cross a "dangerous" bridge, police and councillors have warned.

The former railway bridge off Linden Farm Drive, in Countesthorpe, was temporary closed in November after a structural survey by the county council found it was in a dangerous condition.
.
However, the fences have been vandalised three times since November and police tape has been torn down.

More fencing was installed on Tuesday and people have been warned again to stop using the bridge.

Pc Martin Aston, who patrols Countesthorpe, saw footprints in the snow on the bridge this month.

In a message on Twitter, he wrote: "Have seen some irresponsible person has removed police tape from barriers on bridge off Linden Farm Drive. Substantial fencing now to be erected.

"Be warned, any person caught going through barriers and using the bridge risks arrest and going to court.

"People continue to risk serious harm or injury using the bridge. The bridge structure is unsafe. That means it could collapse."

A county council spokeswoman said the authority had been in communication with the person believed to own the bridge and their legal representatives.

She said it would remain closed until it was deemed safe.

The spokeswoman said: "The bridge is privately owned.

"However, as it forms part of a public right of way, we have imposed a temporary closure following a structural report that showed it is in a dangerous condition.

"Safety fencing has been erected but, unfortunately, has been broken down on several occasions and has required replacing.

"We would ask people not to force entry on to the bridge as it is not safe."

David Jennings, parish, district and county councillor for the area, said the railway line under the bridge had been closed to passenger trains in 1961.

He urged people to take note of the barriers.

"It is a real and dangerous situation," he said.

"I do not know who is removing the barriers and crossing the bridge but I wish I did because I would report them to the police," he said.

"It's not a bit of fun – the barriers are there to keep people safe."

He said the bridge could eventually be repaired or removed.

 

[IanXC]

My understanding is a lot of old infrastructure that wasn't specifically sold off by BR went to the BRB and now remain the responsibility of NR.

I think I'm right in saying that such structures are owned by BRB Residuary, and that they contract the maintenance to Network Rail? In any cause with the winding up of BRB Residuary, these structures look set to be transferred to the Highways Agency!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think I'm right in saying that such structures are owned by BRB Residuary, and that they contract the maintenance to Network Rail? In any cause with the winding up of BRB Residuary, these structures look set to be transferred to the Highways Agency!

Was that winding up you make reference to one that was a consideration in a consultation document to include BRB (Residuary) Limited in the Public Bodies Act 2011?

 

[Eagle]

I think I'm right in saying that such structures are owned by BRB Residuary, and that they contract the maintenance to Network Rail? In any cause with the winding up of BRB Residuary, these structures look set to be transferred to the Highways Agency!

Why the Highways Agency? There aren't many trunk roads involved with the structures.

 

[edwin_m]

Any organisation with corporate knowledge of structures and a nationwide presence could take these on - the actual inspection and any maintenance is probably contracted out anyway. However I would think that Network Rail would be better placed to manage things like large victorian viaducts which aren't often found on highways.

 

[IanXC]

Was that winding up you make reference to one that was a consideration in a consultation document to include BRB (Residuary) Limited in the Public Bodies Act 2011?

Indeed, details of the consultation are here.

Why the Highways Agency? There aren't many trunk roads involved with the structures.

Any organisation with corporate knowledge of structures and a nationwide presence could take these on - the actual inspection and any maintenance is probably contracted out anyway. However I would think that Network Rail would be better placed to manage things like large victorian viaducts which aren't often found on highways.

Not quite as a recalled but the consultation suggests:

Maintenance and management responsibility for the residual Burdensome Estate [some 3400 structures] will transfer to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will continue to maintain the Burdensome Estate to the same standard to which it is currently maintained by the Board. The responsibility of managing the Burdensome Estate will be undertaken on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Highways Agency, which is an executive agency of DfT, as they have the requisite engineering and maintenance expertise

 

[JohnCarlson]

Hi, Thanks for the advice.

Its a disused viaduct (Belmont viaduct, near Durham). As for reporting it, would this fall unter the county councils remit?

Many thanks.

I dont want to labour the point but we have been having a lot of rain over the past few years and a lot of sodden structures might be subject to rapid drying if we have a scorching summer this year. Every viaduct is someones responsibility but that one between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street managed to collapse despite being in constant use and probably subject to constant scrutiny. What chance disused structures out in the country.

John