Popular walking route viaduct repairs complete

Repairs were carried out by specialist contractors

A 170-year-old former rail viaduct, now popular with walkers, has reopened following restoration work.

Lambley Viaduct, near Haltwhistle, had to be closed over the summer after masonry fell from part of the 30m (100ft) high structure.

Trains stopped running on the Alston to Haltwhistle route in 1976 but the stretch is now part of the footpath network in the north-east of England.

Kevin Malone, from the South Tynedale Railway Trust, which is responsible for the maintenance of the crossing, said the route was a "very important part" of this.

Mr Malone said: "It brings people down from the Pennine Way towards Haltwhistle so, when it's out of action, it's pretty inconvenient for them."

He added that a small amount of further work was needed on 22 and 23 October to remove trees from the structure.

"They can damage the stone," Mr Malone said.

"Then all the walkers, all those people who were out there in the landscape every day, will have access to a route that's very useful."

The repairs cost the trust almost £20,000 he said.

"That's money we now don't have to spend on something else, so we'll be fundraising and appealing for help, to replace it."

The viaduct is no longer used by a rail line but is popular with walkers