Border Counties Bridge

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.

Border Counties Bridge
Border Counties Bridge
Coordinates54.9821°N 2.1207°W / 54.9821; -2.1207
OS grid referenceNY923652
CarriesFormerly, Border Counties Railway
CrossesRiver Tyne
LocaleNorthumberland
OwnerBritish Railways at the time of demolition in 1959
Preceded byHexham Bridge
Followed byConstantius Bridge
Characteristics
DesignBeam bridge[1]
MaterialWrought Iron[1]
Pier constructionCast Iron and Masonry/Concrete[1]
No. of spans5
Piers in water4[1]
Rail characteristics
No. of tracksFormerly, 1
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
History
Construction end1856[1]
Opened1856 (1856)
Closed1 September 1958 (1958-09-01)
Location
Border Counties Railway
Overview
StatusClosed
Locale
Service
TypeHeavy rail
History
Commenced11 December 1855
Opened2 April 1858 (1858-04-02)
Completed24 June 1862
Merged intoNorth British Railway - 1860
Merged intoLondon North Eastern Railway - 1923
Merged intoBritish Railways - 1948
Closed
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Route map

Riccarton Junction
Saughtree
Scotland
England
Deadwater
Kielder
Lewiefield Halt
Plashetts
Plashetts Colliery Waggonway
portion of line flooded by Kielder Water
Falstone
Thorneyburn
Tarset
Charlton
Bellingham
Reedsmouth
Countess Park
(1859–1861)
Wark
Barrasford
Chollerton
Chollerford
(later Humshaugh)
Wall
Border Counties Junction
Hexham

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.[2]

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 traffic until 1 September 1958.

The bridge was demolished in 1959.[1] Today, the remains of the piers can still be seen in the river.[1]

References

  1. "Border Counties Bridge - Hexham". Bridges on the Tyne. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  2. Awdry, Christopher (1990). Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0049-7. OCLC 19514063. CN 8983.
Next bridge upstream River Tyne Next bridge downstream
Constantius Bridge
A69 road
Border Counties Bridge
Grid reference NY923652
Hexham Old Bridge
Next railway bridge upstream River Tyne Next railway bridge downstream
Warden Railway Bridge
Tyne Valley line
Border Counties Bridge
Grid reference NY923652
Wylam Railway Bridge
Formerly North Wylam loop, now National Cycle Route 72
Next road bridge upstream River Tyne Next road bridge downstream
Constantius Bridge
A69 road
Border Counties Bridge
Grid reference NY923652
Hexham Bridge
A6079 road
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