Landmark bridge disappears from skyline
Last updated at 12:02, Thursday, 20 September 2012
A RAILWAY bridge which spanned the old Whitehaven to Sellafield railway line for more than 150 years has been removed.
The iron bridge had become unsafe for tractors or livestock to cross.
British Rail sold the bridge to the Hodgson family at Woodend Farm, near Moor Row, in 1988.
The farm is still owned by Joe and Kathleen Hodgson who have since moved to Thornhill, but today the farm is being run by their grandson.
Mrs Hodgson said the bridge had to be taken down because it had become unsafe for tractors or livestock. “It’s a pity but we had no choice as it was structurally unsound,” she said.
Known as Railway Bridge No.16, it was built in 1861 for livestock and farm machinery to move safely from one field to another above what was once a busy line which opened in 1857. It ran from Corkickle to Moor Row then onwards to Egremont and Sellafield before closing in 1980.
The bridge bore the plate of its builder KC McDowell.
Following its removal the old railway cutting is being filled to level the adjoining fields.
First published at 11:07, Thursday, 20 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk
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Have your say
its a shame that a part of the railway history couldent be saved but had to be dismanteld it goes to show what was built it the olden days was built to last . if the railway was still there it woild have been maintaind as part of the railway up keep
Posted by john wilkinson on 15 December 2012 at 14:22