Whalley railway viaduct in Lancashire has been completely mapped using la ser scanners and drones in a bid to protect its use into the future.

Network Rail has used state of the art technology to enable the planning of vital maintenance set to take place over the next 6 to 18 months and will keep the 19th-century viaducts future safe for both passengers and freight.

300 scans have been made of the iconic 176-year-old, 48 arch viaduct which carries the Blackburn to Clitheroe railway line 550 metres over the Ribble Valley. The scans have now been made into a 3D computer model making a digital blueprint that maps out the structure’s current state allowing teams to keep a close eye on any changes or to discover issues in the ornate Victorian brickwork.

The incredible technology also brings a safer working environment as before this only manual checks using abseilers or scaffolding towers could detect structural problems.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “We’re always looking to innovate on the railway and seeing drones and lasers being used to care for such an historic structure is really impressive.

“Using this 21st-century technology gives Whalley viaduct’s engineers a forensic way to plan its essential maintenance for the next 18 months. Great care and attention is going in to make sure our work is right from a heritage perspective. This digital model plays a major role in that as we secure the Grade II listed structures future for passengers, local people and tourists.”

Network Rail has now released the incredible footage of the Victorian viaduct as captured by technology.

Contractor Commendium carried out the LiDAR survey with Drone flights also being carried out to capture high-definition photographs of the Grade II listed structure with all of this information then used to create the 3D computer model.

Richard Walters, chief executive officer for Commendium, said: “At first glance, scanning the Whalley viaduct looks easy. However, the proximity of other interests such as a factory, roads, public footpaths and domestic property has made this a more challenging project. The issue has been finding places to scan from so that we could capture all the necessary walls and features of the viaduct. Therefore local stakeholder co-operation has been essential and, frankly, without their enthusiastic help, the job would have been very much harder.”

Future maintenance work for Whalley viaduct will see:

• Brickwork repairs
• Removal of vegetation and the repair of damage caused by plants and weeds
• Viaduct strengthening work
• Work to stop the viaduct’s bases or piers suffering from river erosion

Nigel Evans, deputy speaker of the House of Commons and Ribble Valley MP, said: “It is fantastic to see this cutting-edge technology being used to preserve such an important and beautiful piece of local history. I know many people travel long distances to see the iconic Whalley railway viaduct and it is so important that it is preserved for future generations. It is through projects like this one that its future can be ensured and I am pleased to see that Network Rail will be undertaking the necessary work to achieve this.”

During the essential maintenance work, trains will continue to run as normal.