SMR 250 / NS 9338 7266
In July 1853 the Monkland Railway obtained Parliamentary powers to connect the former Slamannan line at Blackston Junction to Bathgate and Armadale. Contracts were immediately put out to tender but it was 1854 before construction began. The route’s most striking structure was a viaduct over the River Avon near Westfield, the first pier foundation being laid on 11 August 1854. The Bathgate branch was ready by the end of spring 1855 and an inaugural train traversed the branch on 11th June opening it to goods traffic, but it was a year before the Board of Trade sanctioned passenger traffic and trains commenced running between Airdrie and Bo’ness on 10 June 1856. It later became part of the North British Railway. The route over the viaduct closed on 28th December 1964.
The 220yd long viaduct features 12 main arches, each with a span of 47 feet, 60ft tall from the river. These, together with an additional pair of smaller arches accommodated into the abutments, make 16 arches in all. Except for the brick barrelling, the viaduct is built in rough-hewn stone. The slender piers broaden slightly at their feet and all are topped with two-stage bedstones. At its south-eastern end is an approach embankment of about 130 yards.
Over the years the viaduct was repaired and strengthened. All but two of the main spans had three tie bars inserted. These passed through the spandrels and beneath the barrels, held in place with long iron plates keyed into the masonry. Owing to the widespread loss of the stone faces many patch repairs were carried out in brick.
In 2021 work began to repair the viaduct. However, delays due to the Covid pandemic resulted in the opportunity being taken to carry out more extensive work. This was undertaken by Balfour Beatty and continued to 2023, eventually costing almost £2 million. The weathered stone was removed and replaced by colour-matched stone. New cast iron pattress plates, cast to match the originals, were also installed to replace damaged ones. To conform with environmental legislation temporary bat boxes, tubes and bricks were installed during the project at places where work was not taking place. These were subsequently built into the structure itself as permanent roosts. The work left the structure in excellent condition and opened up the prospect that the viaduct could be used as part of a network of public footpaths. Unfortunately this did not happen and today unsightly security fences block access at either end.
Bibliography
NEWSPAPERS
- Falkirk Herald, 8 September 1853, 1:
MONKLAND RAILWAYS COMPANY BATHGATE BRANCH RAILWAY. THE DIRECTORS of this Company are prepared to receive TENDERS for the construction of the above named Branch Railway, diverging from their Slamannan Railway at Blackstone, and terminating with a junction… - North British Daily Mail, 25 February 1854 2:
the new Bathgate branch would be ready by March 1855, the works being now in progress… - Morning Post, 8 August 1856, 6:
The Board of Trade having sanctioned the opening of the Bo’ness and Bathgate branches for passenger traffic, trains commenced running between Airdrie and Bo’ness on the 10th June, and between Airdrie and…
Falkirk Local History Society 