Hockley Railway Viaduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hockley Railway Viaduct |
|
|---|---|
The Hockley Railway Viaduct in 2020
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°02′13″N 1°19′16″W / 51.037°N 1.321°W |
| Crosses | River Itchen |
| Other name(s) | Shawford Viaduct |
| Owner | Winchester City Council |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | brick clad concrete |
| Total length | 2,014 feet (614 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | W. R. Galbraith |
| Constructed by | London and South Western Railway |
| Opened | October 1891 |
| Closed | April 1966 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Hockley Railway Viaduct is a large, old railway bridge near Winchester in Hampshire, England. It used to carry trains over the River Itchen and its nearby water meadows. Today, it is no longer used by trains but is a popular path for walkers and cyclists.
Contents
History of the Viaduct
The Hockley Railway Viaduct was built in the late 1880s. It was first known as the Shawford Viaduct. The London and South Western Railway (LSWR) company built it.
Why the Viaduct Was Built
The viaduct helped connect two railway lines. One line, the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway (DN&SR), was supposed to go all the way to Southampton. But it ran out of money in Winchester. The viaduct was built to link this unfinished line to the LSWR's main line. This main line ran along the other side of the valley. So, the viaduct created a crucial connection across the valley.
End of Railway Use
The last train crossed the viaduct on April 2, 1966. The railway line it carried was closed. This happened because of something called the Beeching Axe. This was a plan in the 1960s to close many railway lines in the United Kingdom. Even though the trains stopped, most of the viaduct is still standing. It is now part of the National Cycle Network Route 23.
How the Viaduct Was Built
The Hockley Viaduct has 33 arches, which are called spans. It looks like it's made entirely of brick. However, the inside of its pillars is actually solid concrete. The bricks are just on the outside, making it look nice.
Materials Used
The bricks for the outside came from Poole Brickworks in Somerset. The special blue bricks used for the top parts came from Bishop's Waltham. For a long time, people thought the viaduct might have concrete inside. But it was only recently, after drilling into the structure, that they found out most of it is concrete. This makes the Hockley Viaduct one of the earliest large structures to have a solid concrete core.
Keeping the Viaduct Safe
People have tried to get the viaduct officially "listed" as a historic building. This would help get money from the National Lottery to keep it in good condition. The way it was built is very interesting historically. Also, the railway route it carried was important during D-Day in World War II.
Modern Use and Repairs
Today, the viaduct is a path for walking and cycling across the River Itchen. It also helps block some of the noise from the nearby M3 motorway from reaching the water meadows. In 2007, Winchester City Council announced a plan to spend £500,000 on repairs over 12 years.
Later, Sustrans, an organization that promotes walking and cycling, became interested in taking care of the viaduct. They wanted it for the Hampshire cycle route system. In 2012, Hampshire County Council gave another £250,000 for the project.
Restoration and Opening
Sustrans, Winchester City Council, and Hampshire County Council worked together to restore the viaduct. A group called the Friends of Hockley Viaduct helped too. They provided a new railway signal and restored an old telegraph post. Sustrans has agreed to maintain the viaduct for 40 years.
The restored Hockley Viaduct officially opened on February 26, 2013. World Champion cyclist Dani King, who grew up nearby, helped open it. Many guests attended the event. They learned about the viaduct's history and restoration. Then, they either cycled with Dani King or rode a special bus to the viaduct for the opening ceremony.
