Border Counties Bridge

Border Counties Bridge

Border Counties Bridge
Coordinates 54°58′59″N 2°07′19″W / 54.983°N 2.122°WCoordinates: 54°58′59″N 2°07′19″W / 54.983°N 2.122°W
OS grid reference NY922653
Carries Rail (disused)
Crosses River Tyne
Locale Northumberland, England
Characteristics
Design beam[1]
Material iron[1]
Number of spans five
Piers in water 4 piers of masonry/concrete[1]
History
Construction end 1856[1]
Closed 1956
Border Counties Bridge
Location in Northumberland
Border Counties Railway
Locale Roxburghshire, Scotland; Northumberland, England
Dates of operation 31 July 1854 13 August 1860
Successor North British Railway
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
Legend
   Border Union Railway
Riccarton Junction
   Border Union Railway
Saughtree
Scotland
England

Deadwater
Kielder
Lewiefield Halt
Plashetts
   Plashetts Colliery Waggonway
Falstone
Thorneyburn
Tarset
Charlton
Bellingham, later Bellingham (North Tyne)
   Wansbeck Railway
Reedsmouth
Wark
Barrasford
Chollerton
Chollerford (renamed Humshaugh in 1919)[2]
Wall
   Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
Border Counties Bridge
Border Counties Junction
Hexham
   Newcastle and Carlisle Railway

Border Counties Bridge was a 19th-century railway bridge across the River Tyne just west of Hexham, Northumberland, England. The bridge used to carry the Border Counties Railway over the River Tyne at Border Counties Junction with the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.

History

The Border Counties Railway was authorised by Parliament in 1854.[1] The bridge was part of that railway and linked the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, near Hexham, with the Border Union Railway at Riccarton Junction. The first section of the route was opened between Hexham and Chollerford in 1858, the remainder opening in 1862.[3] The bridge was beset with problems from its construction when the temporary wooden structure erected initially to allow a crane access, was swept away by floods. The abutments at the south end had to be moved eastwards to avoid scouring of the river at its original site. Both weight and speed restrictions have always been a feature of the bridge. The bridge was reportedly damaged by floods in August 1948 and was given temporary repairs sufficient to keep the line open for a time. The condition of the bridge was a major factor in the eventual closure of the line, the cost of repairs being considered prohibitive. Regular passenger trains ceased on 13 October 1956 although the line (and the bridge) remained open for goods until 1 September 1958. Today, the stumps of the piers are still to be seen in the river.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Bridges on the Tyne". Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  2. Sewell, G. W. M. (1993). The North British Railway in Northumberland (reprint). Baunton, Devon, England: Merlin Books Limited. p. 26. ISBN 0-86303-613-9.
  3. Awdry, Christopher (1990). Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0049-7. OCLC 19514063.

External links

Next crossing upstream River Tyne Next crossing downstream
Constantius Bridge
A69 road 
Border Counties Bridge
Grid reference: NY922653
Hexham Old Bridge
(former 18th century bridge)
Next road crossing upstream River Tyne Next road crossing downstream
Constantius Bridge
A69 road 
Border Counties Bridge
Grid reference: NY922653
Hexham Bridge
(A6079 road)