06.12.19
Heritage award presented to Network Rail
The National Railway Heritage have presented Network Rail with an award for their refurbishment of the South Esk viaduct at Montrose.
At the award ceremony in London, the National Railway Heritage award was presented to Network Rail and contractor, Taziker Industrial by HRH the Princess Royal.
The South Esk viaduct was completed in 1883 and was one of the last major bridges built in wrought iton using lattice girders of Victorian design in the UK.
William Arrol was the railway engineer responsible for building the bridge and many other iconic bridges including the Tay and Forth Bridges.
Preservation began over a 16-month period, the 16 span, 440 metre, grade B listed structure was grit blasted, cleaned, repaired and repainted section by section in a project which completed in late 2018.
Work was also down on the bridge to retain shrapnel marks and bullet holes on the structure consistent with a bombing and a strafing attack by the Luftwaffe during World War 2.
A bespoke scaffold system and walkway was put in place to allow the Network Rail project team and specialist contractor Taziker Industrial to access the structure and deliver the work safely.
Jeremy Spence, Network Rail’s programme manager, said: “We are delighted that our work on this structure has been acknowledged in this way.
“We take seriously our responsibility to maintain and preserve these historic structures, not just for the safe and efficient operation of the railway, but also how they look in their setting for those travelling on the railway or visitors to the area enjoying the beautiful views.”
Image - Ms Laura Craig, Scheme Project Manager, Network Rail & Mr Tom Galletly, Project Manager, Taziker Industrial.