East Lancashire Railway Secures Funding for Urgent Viaduct Repairs

A £1 million financial injection for a heritage railway has been characterized as a “massive vote of confidence” for the dedicated volunteers engaged in its restoration. The East Lancashire Railway Trust has been granted these funds by the government and local councils to undertake urgent repair work on the Higher Woodhill viaduct, which is situated on the periphery of Burrs Country Park. Volunteers have been working since the 1980s to preserve the twelve-and-a-half-mile (20 km) railway line that operates between Heywood, Bury, and Rawtenstall. Trust chairman Mike Kelly stated that the funding for the viaduct was “fantastic news” and would contribute to securing the railway’s future. Approximately £1 million was awarded to the trust from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, designated for the viaduct’s restoration. Local authorities in Bury, Rochdale, and Rossendale provided an additional £276,000 in match funding, alongside contributions from railway supporters, members of the public, and local businesses. This funding boost will allow essential maintenance work on the structure to commence next year. The Woodhill Viaduct, located in the Irwell Valley, passes the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill and was last repaired in 1932. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, regular inspections of the structure have not identified any concerns regarding its safety. However, the trust determined that long-term repairs were necessary to accommodate the continued level of use by steam and heritage diesel trains. “There are a great many important Victorian structures along our 12 miles of railway, which thousands of our visitors travel over or under each year, but don’t often see their splendour,” Mr Kelly said. He added, “Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy.” Meanwhile, James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, commented that the government cash award was a “fantastic Christmas gift for our town.” He stated, “The East Lancashire Railway is a special part of our town’s heritage and culture, and I know everyone in Bury will be pleased that with this funding the future of the railway is secured.”