Network Rail has announced that they will be upgrading the Shoreham Viaduct over the Christmas period to help increase its lifespan.

The 360m-long viaduct was built in 1892 to replace the timber structure and is one of the UK’s earliest steel structures.

It has now been repaired and repainted as part of a £9.5 million investment by Network Rail.

The work means that the improved viaduct will be able to carry modern trains and also freight trains.

The green and cream paint complements the local surroundings and also will protect the metal work from Salt Spray for at least the next 25 years.

The redundant gas main has also been removed as part of the project.

The work at the Viaduct is due to be completed at Christmas.

What did the officials say?

Network Rail’s head of structures in the South East, Mark Huband, said: “With record numbers of people choosing to travel by train in the South East, it’s vital we continue to invest in the many hundreds of Victorian bridges, tunnels, viaducts and other structures which form key parts of our modern network. We hope our work at Shoreham Viaduct demonstrates that we take seriously our responsibility to maintain and preserve these historic structures, not just for the safe and efficient operation of the railway, but also how they look for the local community, those travelling on the railway or visitors to the area. It gives you great respect for those who built this structure more than a century ago and we hope that our work on their bridge does justice to their legacy.”

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