Chester Burn viaduct, Railway viaduct in Chester-le-Street, England
The Chester Burn viaduct is a railway bridge in Chester-le-Street in County Durham built with 11 arches of light-red engineering brick and stone plinths. The structure spans a wide valley and is now marked by modern railings from the late 20th century, while a supermarket sits beneath the arches.
The viaduct was commissioned in 1868 by the North Eastern Railway Company to create a direct route between Newcastle and Durham for high-speed trains. This connection proved vital to the region's railway network development in the 19th century.
The Grade II listed structure represents Victorian engineering excellence and stands as a central element in Chester-le-Street's industrial development during the 19th century.
The viaduct is clearly visible when passing above or beside it, and offers a good view of the structure and the businesses underneath. The best vantage point is from ground level beneath the arches or from the side along the valley floor.
The viaduct was built with elliptical arches instead of rounded ones, an advanced technique engineers used at that time. This design choice made the structure more efficient and gives it a distinctive appearance even today.
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