Martholme Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Lancashire, England
Martholme Viaduct is a railway bridge made of local sandstone that carries tracks across the River Calder between Great Harwood and Read. The structure rests on ten round arches and stands about 20 metres high, making it a prominent feature of the countryside.
Construction began in 1870 and finished in 1877 as part of a railway expansion project for the region. The line itself closed in 1957, but the bridge structure has survived intact to the present day.
The viaduct connects two communities that grew up around the railway line, and its stonework reflects how Victorian engineers shaped the local landscape. Walking beneath it today, you can see how the railway became central to the life of these small towns.
The structure sits away from main roads and is best reached on foot from the nearby river valley. Access is free, and the best time to visit is during dry weather when the paths are easy to walk.
Engineers switched from the original wooden design to local sandstone during construction, giving the structure far greater longevity. This practical adjustment shows how railway projects in the 1800s adapted to the materials available on site.
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