NETWORK Rail and AmcoGiffen are to begin a £3.4 million project on the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct later this month.
Engineers will assess the condition and strength of the 123-year-old A-listed viaduct, whilst also carrying out work to protect it from water erosion, completing concrete repairs, and making improvements beneath the track to keep the stone ballast in place.
The work comes as part of Network Rail’s ongoing maintenance programme and will help future proof the landmark crossing, which sits 100ft above the River Finnan on the West Highland Line. The work is scheduled to take just under a year to complete.
There will be no disruption to rail services during the work and no change to the appearance of the structure – the longest concrete viaduct in Scotland spanning 1000ft and famously featured in the Harry Potter film series – when complete.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said, “The viaduct is an iconic landmark which attracts visitors from across the world, so we’ve worked hard to develop a solution which will help preserve the structure, respect its historic significance while minimising the visual impact of our work.”
Stephen Campbell, operations director, AmcoGiffen, added, “We are privileged to contribute to the preservation of this cherished landmark and will work closely with Network Rail to protect the heritage of the viaduct and surrounding area while repairing its structural integrity for generations to come.”
