• GWSR ‘highly commended’ for engineering excellence in viaduct repair • Railway ‘deeply grateful’ for repair cost contributors • Blue plaques: ‘collective form of ownership
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s project to stabilise the parapets on Stanway Viaduct, an attractive 15-arch brick structure on the route between Toddington and Broadway, was highly commended in the Structures Awards category at the National Rail Heritage Awards held in London on 4 December.
The judges’ comments included:
‘The GWSR is to be congratulated on both its engineering excellence and its efficiency and fundraising and executing the works to enable re-opening of the line for passenger use just five months after the structural problem was identified.’
The judging panel continued: ‘This project is an exceptionally commendable way of demonstrating that contemporary solutions can go hand in hand with historic structural elements to create solutions which are not only practically successful but, in their own way, can enhance the structure itself. It is a fine example of a considered approach to the application of innovative thought, and the team deserve strong recognition and huge congratulations on what has been achieved.’
Dr Graham Plant, the GWSR’s voluntary Civil Engineering Director added: “The problem with the parapets was discovered when track materials were removed so that the deck could be re-waterproofed. The parapets are of an unusual corbelled design and, thanks to the failure of a mortar joint the full length of both parapets, but out of sight below ballast level, they were close to their balance point.
“With our consultants, a range of options were considered and the one adopted comprises a series of stainless-steel cable stays attached to the deck and fixed to stainless-steel plates on the parapets, preventing further movement. This solution does not alter the external visual impact of this historic and graceful structure in the Cotswold countryside.”
Dr Plant added: “We are deeply grateful to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Trust and its supporters who have generously funded the repairs to the viaduct and I’m thrilled that we have gained this accolade. It recognises not just the imaginative stabilisation of the viaduct, but all those who have contributed to the special appeal run by the Trust.”
GWSR Plc is also offering memorial and commemorative plaques fixed to the stainless-steel faceplates on the parapets, which are available to supporters to place messages in exchange for a donation to the future cost of further viaduct repairs. Dr Plant points out: “This creates a collective form of ownership of the viaduct in the wider railway community and I’m pleased that the judges commended this initiative.”
Two plaques have been dedicated to those workers who were killed or injured when arches of the viaduct collapsed during construction in November 1903. A further plaque is to the memory of the planning officer at Tewkesbury Borough Council who refused an application by British Rail to demolish the viaduct after this former main line, linking the Midlands with Cheltenham, was closed.
