Walking over Ribblehead

[Halifaxlad]

Here's a random idea that I'm personally not sure of but I thought I throw it in this forum to see what others think.

Since it's possible to have public paths alongside railway lines and since Ribblehead viaduct is single track albeit over the centre of the viaduct. How about slewing it over to one side and creating a path on the other.

I do expect comments regarding why it was singled ect ect I do also remeber something about its impact a few years ago that it might not have been such a great idea.

Anyway this is really just a thought provking idea so please don't go too hard on me.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There's public footpath(s) underneath/alongside the viaduct, so it's not like somewhere like Barmouth, which means that there's not really any need to use the viaduct to cross from the station side of Ribblehead to the other.

 

[30907]

Nice idea for a tourist attraction, I suppose - if it wasn't so far from anywhere (unlike the viaduct walks newr me/us on the ex GN to Keighley).

On a practical point, I wonder how wide a footpath you would be allowed alongside the line under current regs.allowe?

 

[John Webb]

I believe the single line was placed centrally on the viaduct to minimise sideways stresses on the viaduct structure from present day trains, which are generally heavier than those for which the viaduct was originally designed. So I think there would be significant resistance from Network Rail to moving it to one side.
I think too that even if the line was moved to one side they would still need to go to the expense of a significant fence on the viaduct to keep people off the remaining line. This would probably not be allowed due to the listing of the viaduct and the visual change such a fence would introduce.

Perhaps when there are engineering works away from the viaduct that stop trains using it, NR might consider allowing a 'Charity Walk' across the viaduct as has happened a couple of times in the past at the conclusion of repairs?

 

[swt_passenger]

Nice idea for a tourist attraction, I suppose - if it wasn't so far from anywhere (unlike the viaduct walks newr me/us on the ex GN to Keighley).

On a practical point, I wonder how wide a footpath you would be allowed alongside the line under current regs.allowe?

There‘s a fairly recent example of a fenced footpath and single track over the Tweed viaduct on the Borders line, which presumably meets current regulations. I’d estimate the path is about 6ft wide.

 

[zwk500]

Here's a random idea that I'm personally not sure of but I thought I throw it in this forum to see what others think.

Since it's possible to have public paths alongside railway lines and since Ribblehead viaduct is single track albeit over the centre of the viaduct. How about slewing it over to one side and creating a path on the other.

I do expect comments regarding why it was singled ect ect I do also remeber something about its impact a few years ago that it might not have been such a great idea.

Anyway this is really just a thought provking idea so please don't go too hard on me.

Are there any footpaths at either end to allow people easy access onto the viaduct? It looks like you'd need 2 new sets of steps, one on each embankment, to provide access. I can see it being perfectly feasible, although it would probably need a 7ft+ security fence that close to the line, which isn't going to do wonders for the views. I can see the attraction of a viewpoint halfway along the viaduct for both train enthusiasts and general walkers although I'd have thought money for footpaths in that part of the world would have better candidates to be spent on, given the heavy use the Pennines get.

 

[randyrippley]

better to spend any available money restoring the viaducts on the Ingleton route and converting it into a cycle track

 

[Neptune]

When the line was singled it was moved to the centre to balance the stresses of the structure.

Also due to the height of the structure and proximity of the railway you’d end up with two very ugly high fences either side of the path. Before any says ‘but personal responsibility’ it would be a sensible thing to do to prevent trespass (think steam railtour photographers who’ low best’) and also suicide prevention.

There is a perfectly good path below the viaduct.

 

[Magdalia]

There's public footpath(s) underneath/alongside the viaduct, so it's not like somewhere like Barmouth, which means that there's not really any need to use the viaduct to cross from the station side of Ribblehead to the other.

Indeed, this path goes directly across Batty Moss from the Ribblehead Inn to Blea Moor Signal Box. It is a very heavily used footpath as it is on the "Three Peaks" circuit and is the main route to the summit of Whernside. Those walkers frequently dress in brightly coloured clothing which would be wonderful for railway photographers if they were all on the viaduct!

The health and safety issues are important, and one that has not been mentioned so far is wind. When the wind blows up the valley between Whernside and Ingleborough it will probably be hard to stand up on the viaduct, never mind walking.

Bear in mind also that Ribblehead Viaduct is a Grade II listed structure and would require permission from Historic England to make any alterations such as adding security fences.