Historical Railways Estate scheme wins national heritage award

The award, sponsored by Translink, recognised the quality of the repairs, with judges describing workmanship and attention to detail of the repairs as "impressive". They also acknowledged the skill and craft used to reproduce the rock face sandstone detail on the parapet, commenting that it was "eye catching".

Our extensive £2 million programme of work at Westfield Viaduct included masonry repairs, waterproofing and the installation of 19 bat bricks, six bat tubes and two bat boxes. Work took 18 months to complete and ensures that the structure, built in the 1850s, will be preserved for many generations to come.

Helene Rossiter, Head of the Historical Railways Estate (HRE), said:

“We are thrilled to have won our first award at the National Railway Heritage Awards. We worked closely with Balfour Beatty to fully refurbish Westfield Viaduct.

“Westfield Viaduct is one of Scotland’s oldest viaducts. at nearly 170 years old, and our work means it remains safely standing as a reminder of the area’s industrial past."

Teviot Viaduct, another HRE shortlisted project in the Awards, was nominated in the same category and was Highly Commended. Our work with National Trust to transform Castlefield Viaduct to a sky garden was also nominated in the Award for restoration on a closed line.

The National Railway Heritage Awards are dedicated to encouraging and rewarding best practice in the re-use, restoration, and continued upkeep of our rich heritage of railway and tramway buildings and structures.

The awards began in 1979 and were initially focused on the heritage railway preservation movement. Since rail privatisation in the 1990s, the awards have broadened to encompass the infrastructure of the national rail network and entries from the national sector now form a substantial part.

Find out more about our other work this year on our project profile pages now.

Above: Westfield Viaduct

Main image: Head of HRE Helene Rossiter pictured with Colin McNicol, the lead engineer on both projects recognised at the awards.