Kirkstall Road Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Burley, Leeds, England
Kirkstall Road Viaduct is a railway viaduct in Burley, Leeds that spans the River Aire, Leeds Liverpool Canal, and the Kirkstall Road with multiple stone arches. The structure rests on large piers and features a continuous moulded cornice with parapet running along its entire length.
The viaduct was built in 1849 by engineer Thomas Grainger as part of the Leeds and Thirsk Railway connecting Leeds to Stockton-on-Tees. It has remained a crucial link in the region's railway network ever since.
The viaduct stands out with its sandstone material, while nearby buildings use red brick typical of the area's industrial character. This difference in building style shapes how the railway crossing looks today.
The viaduct continues to carry active rail services, particularly on the Harrogate line, and remains in daily use. You can view it from below when walking along the road or canal paths.
The structure rests on twenty-one segmental arches supported by large rusticated piers carved with precise stonework. This intricate craftsmanship reveals the skilled masonry techniques used when it was built.
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