A Grade II listed Somerset viaduct has been given a full facelift in time for its 150th birthday thanks to National Highways' Historical Railways Estate (HRE).

 A team of skilled contractors from Hammond ECS have worked flat out for five months to finish the detailed work, which involved repointing over 1000 square metres of water-damaged parapet with a traditional lime mortar, carefully coloured matched with the original mortar. As the structure is listed they worked closely with the local heritage officer to ensure the work was in keeping with the structure's aesthetic and carried out to the highest standard.

 The HRE is a collection of over 3,100 structures and assets, 395 in the South West, which were once part of Britain's rail network. This autumn National Highways will celebrate 10 years of looking after the HRE on behalf of the Department for Transport. You can read more about the work undertaken in the last ten years here.

 National Highways' Head of HRE programme, Helene Rossiter, said: "Our role is to preserve and keep safe the tunnels, bridges and viaducts in the estate and that is why we're so proud of the work completed at Pensford Viaduct.

 "This stunning structure near Bristol represents an important part of the area's industrial past, and is enjoyed as part of a popular walking route that runs underneath one of the spans, so we'll delighted to see the repairs completed in time for its 150th birthday."

 The viaduct is made up of 16 arches, supported by tall tapering piers in the centre and thicker shorter ones at the sides. Constructed in stone it is 332 yards in length and reaches a height of 95 feet.

 Work was carried out around 15 years ago on the piers (the vertical supports between the arches), drains and arches. Since then, water has been getting into open joints within the parapets with water freezing then expanding causing the mortar to dislodge.

 To make sure the repairs were completed as safely and quickly as possible, 300 metres of runners were installed across the top of the structure supporting a specially designed scaffolding rig which was pulled along by a truck.

  300 metres of runners were installed across the top of the structure supporting a scaffolding rig pulled along by a truck.

 The work, which started in April and was completed September will provide a long-term solution and keep the viaduct in good condition for many years to come.

 Around 85 repairs, maintenance and renovations projects were completed in the South West region in the last financial year with a total of 267 works also being completed across England, Scotland and Wales.

Pensford background

The viaduct was originally opened in 1873 to carry the Bristol & North Somerset Railway over Chew Valley. The last passenger train to travel over the viaduct in 1959 and the line was only used for transporting goods. It officially closed in July 1968, after flooding in Pensford weakened the structure. It was put on sale for £1 to the public the same year, but the associated liabilities meant there were no takers.