Changes

[[File:Wribbenhall_Viaduct_20160416.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Wribbenhall Viaduct seen from platform level]][[File:Wribbenhall viaduct.jpg|rightthumb|300px|thumbright|Wribbenhall Viaduct from Kidderminster Road]][[File:Wribbenhall_Viaduct_1897.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A GWR locomotive on Wribbenhall Viaduct]]'''Wribbenhall Viaduct ''' (Bridge 11), also referred to as Bewdley North Viaduct, is situated immediately north of [[Bewdley]] station where it can be seen from the platforms. It is listed Grade II by Historic England for its special architectural or historic interest.<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1386197 Wribbenhall Viaduct on the Historic England list]</ref>

Construction of the viaduct began in 1859; the Chief Engineer and Resident Engineer being [[FileJohn Fowler]] and [[Henry Orlando Bridgeman | Henry Bridgeman]] who were also responsible for [[Victoria Bridge]]. Although the most of Bewdley station itself is cut into the sandstone rock and stands firmly on it, the viaducts at each end of the station are off the rock and stand on softer alluvial deposits. Wet weather in December 1860 impeded construction, causing a supporting wall to the embankment to collapse.<ref>[https: Wribbenhall_Viaduct_plaque_20170831//www.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Small repair with date plaque]britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/18601228/030/0005 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 28 December 1860]</ref>

The viaduct was built from 1859; the Chief Engineer and Resident Engineer being [[John Fowler]] and [[Henry Orlando Bridgeman | Henry Bridgeman]] who were also responsible for [[Victoria Bridge]]. The viaduct is 112 yards in length, with seven brick arches of 25ft span and a larger skew arch of 48ft 9in span over the Kidderminster Road.<ref name=Marshall94>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 94.</ref> Wet weather in December 1860 impeded constructionAt the north end, causing the embankment is supported by a supporting sloping retaining wing wall to the embankment to collapse.<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.coor 'revetment' which extends for a further 65 yards.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/18601228/030/0005 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 28 December 1860]</ref>

The viaduct was originally built using a combination of red brick and locally quarried local red sandstone. The latter sandstone came from a quarry at the top of what is now Maypole Close, just a few yards north of the viaduct. Although it appeared strong and hard when freshly cut, it was prone liable to weatheringsoften, split and disintegrate when exposed to the atmosphere. This was probably known by the contractors at the time with its use being a cost saving measure; the stone and in 1915 large sections were cut out brickwork on [[Dowles Bridge]] and other structures on the [[Wyre Forest Line|Tenbury and replaced Bewdley Railway]] built only about two years later by blue engineering bricks, as can be seen on the main photographsame contractors is of a far better quality.<ref name=SVR106>SVR News 106, “Bewdley Viaduct” "Bewdley Viaduct" (John Marshall)</ref> The neighbouring [[Accommodation bridge off Northwood Lane]] underwent similar repairs at that time which included a date plaque set into <ref>SVR News 113, "Silica, Sandstone and the bricks. The large repair in the main photograph appears to have included a similar plaque near the top, although this is no longer legible. A smaller repair nearby carries a date plaque dated 7-1915.Severn Valley" (Keith Beddoes)</ref>

The winter By the outbreak of 1992/93 saw a major refurbishment by the SVR including installing a waterproof membrane First World War the stonework in the viaduct had deteriorated badly, especially on the south-west side and in the retaining wall along Kidderminster Road which were exposed to the wettest winds. In 1915 large sections were cut out and relaying of replaced by blue engineering bricks which can be seen on the track bedmain photograph.<ref name=SVR106/> The viaduct has seen further major refurbishments sinceneighbouring [[Accommodation bridge off Northwood Lane]] underwent similar repairs at that time which included a date plaque set into the bricks. In February 2018 work started on The largest repair appears to have included a similar plaque near the long wing wall by contractors (Walsh Construction Ltd)top, using although this is no longer legible. One of the same Cumbrian sandstone from St Bees quarry that smaller repairs in the SVR have used elsewhere on the viaductrevetment carries a plaque dated 7-1915.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/winter-works-2018 SVRLive, 'Winter Works 2018', 21 March 2018]</ref>

North of [[File: Summer_Hill_Footbridge.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Summer Hill footbridge in the early 1900s]]Proceeding north from Wribbenhall Viaduct, the [[Tenbury Branch | Tenbury and Bewdley Railway]] and Severn Valley Railway ran parallel for around a mile on the left and right hand lines respectively. On 15 March 1892 the GWR Engineering Committee authorised construction of a plated girder passenger footbridge a short way over the two lines around 150 yards north of the Viaduct, connecting Northwood Lane and Summer Hill. This was later demolished in the 1930s, although the brick footing on the Summer Hill side of the line is still visible next to the track bed.<ref name=Marshall94/> . <br clear="all"/>