Alston Arches Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Haltwhistle, England
Alston Arches Viaduct is a railway bridge across the River South Tyne in Haltwhistle, built with six stone arches made from carefully dressed stone and decorative masonry. The crossing joins both riverbanks and was constructed from precisely fitted blocks of material.
The viaduct was built in 1852 for the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company and served rail traffic for over a century until the line closed in 1976. After closure it was later repurposed and adapted for different uses.
The structure shows how important rail routes were to northern England in the 1800s and how much Victorian society invested in major building projects. Visitors can see how engineers crossed rivers then and what role these connections played in the region's development.
The viaduct is now a paved footpath and cycling route across the river that visitors can easily access and walk. The structure is stable and offers good views of the river from above, with regular upkeep ensuring safety for all users.
The six arches cast different shadows on the river, making the shape and curve of each arch clearly visible. The shadow patterns change throughout the day and seasons, offering a fresh perspective on the structure.
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