A 180-year-old railway viaduct, originally designed by George Stephenson, is to be restored in a multi-million-pound project.

The £3.7m investment, part of the Great North Rail Project, will see the 1840-built Grade II listed Gauxholme viaduct grit blasted to its bare metal for repairs to take place.

The viaduct, which spans the Rochdale Canal, will then be deep cleaned and repainted.

Taylors Bridge, which carries the railway over Rose Bank Road, near Todmorden, will also be completely reconstructed with two disused sections removed as part of the same project.

Both projects mean the railway through Todmorden will be closed from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.

Kathryn Berry, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “This work to restore the impressive Gauxholme viaduct and renew Taylor’s bridge is essential to improve passenger journeys through Todmorden.

“The Great North Rail Project investment will secure this important piece of railway heritage for generations to come.

“We have been working closely with Calderdale Council on our plans and thank passengers, road users and the local community in advance for their patience while we deliver this essential work.”

During the nine-day railway closure there will be no trains between Blackburn and Manchester via Todmorden.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The upgrade and repair work near Todmorden is key to future-proofing the rail network in the area and will give Northern customers a modern infrastructure for many years to come between Hebden Bridge and Rochdale.

“We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum and will be providing rail replacement transport while the work is carried out. More details of these provisions will be available via the Northern website in the near future.”

Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley, said: “I am incredibly delighted that funding in the region of £3.7m is being invested locally to restore the 1840s Grade II listed Gauxholme viaduct here in Todmorden. It is so important to renovate such structures – these form part of our history.

“Here in Todmorden we are blessed with some amazing buildings and structures, the past forms part our future. I cannot wait to see the completed renovation works and see Gauxholme viaduct back to its former glory.”

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