A significant restoration project is underway for the historic Ouse Valley Viaduct, ensuring its longevity and safety.
- Network Rail is leading critical repair work on the 180-year-old structure to maintain this key railway connection between Brighton and London.
- The first phase involves repairing stone and brickwork on eight arches using 2,600 bespoke bricks and 40 tonnes of stone.
- Conservation efforts are in collaboration with English Heritage and local councils to align restoration with the viaduct’s historical architecture.
- Innovative scaffolding solutions are implemented to facilitate repairs, ensuring minimal disruption to railway services.
Network Rail has embarked on a crucial restoration initiative for the Ouse Valley Viaduct in Sussex, strategically planning to reinforce this essential 180-year-old railway structure. Constructed between 1839 and 1842, the viaduct is a crucial segment of the Brighton to London main line, supporting approximately 17 million passenger journeys annually.
In its first phase, the restoration focuses on the refurbishment of the first eight arches, utilising 2,600 specially crafted bricks sourced from Haywards Heath and 40 tonnes of Richmont Crème limestone imported from France. This meticulous repair work is part of an extensive plan to future-proof the viaduct, involving fracture repairs, repointing, and intricate masonry work, set for completion by November.
Oversight is provided by a conservation expert alongside Network Rail, in conjunction with English Heritage and West Sussex County Council’s conservation team. The restoration aims to preserve the viaduct’s historical integrity while ensuring it meets modern safety and functionality standards.
To tackle the complex task of repairing arches 3-8, Network Rail has collaborated with All Task to design and install bespoke scaffolding. This approach ensures worker safety and minimal railway disruption by providing access to otherwise hard-to-reach areas. Concurrently, provisional plans are being developed to support slope stabilisation works for arches 1-2.
The ongoing efforts by Network Rail are seen as pivotal to maintaining the operational capability of one of Sussex’s critical railway infrastructures. Lucy McAuliffe, the Network Rail Sussex route director, expressed satisfaction with the progress, highlighting the project’s importance in sustaining train and visitor access over the viaduct for future generations.
This restoration effort is paramount in ensuring the Ouse Valley Viaduct remains a vital and secure transport conduit for years to come.
