A Worcester company is building two bridges that form part of a £10 million railway restoration project in Yorkshire.
VolkerLaser, a specialist construction company based in Blackpole Road, is in the final stages of the £1.26 million construction of Bridges 24 and 25 in Goathland.
The bridges are part of the ‘Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey’ project being run by North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR).
VolkerLaser started work at the Goathland site in December, with the team dismantling and removing the old structure and preparing for the installation of the new structure.
The NYMR’s in-house Permanent Way team will relay the ballast and tracks ready for the 2022 season.
Last week, two new 40-tonne steel structures, each spanning 50 feet, were delivered by road from VolkerLaser’s appointed painter’s facility in Sheffield and lowered into place.
They will carry the railway over Eller Beck, replacing the old structures after 150 years of service.
The project is being funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the European Union, NYMR’s Local Enterprise Partnership and donations from supporters.
Tim Bruce, director of civil engineering at NYMR, said: “We’ve enjoyed a really good working relationship with VolkerLaser, who were able to step in following the collapse last summer of engineering firm Cleveland Bridge, which was originally scheduled to carry out the work.
'Fantastic to see'
“We are now able to press ahead on schedule to reopen on April 4.”
Jim Mawson, operations director for steel at VolkerLaser, said: “This represents the culmination of many hours of planning and preparation, and it is fantastic to see the new bridges being installed on time for NYMR following the removal of the life-expired bridges in January.
“The new bridges will allow NYMR to operate continuously for many decades, and we at VolkerLaser are proud to be involved, and to be included in the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project.”
The Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey project aims to secure the long-term future of the popular heritage railway.
It involves much-needed infrastructure improvements to enable the line to continue running for generations to come, including the replacement of three bridges. It also focuses on improving access to the railway by those with disabilities and action to conserve and interpret the heritage, flora and fauna along the lineside.
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