A BLACKBURN rail viaduct is being given a £350,000 facelift by Network Rail.

Originally built in 1850, Cob Wall Viaduct carries the Blackburn to Clitheroe railway over two roads and a river in the Daisyfield area.

The eight-span viaduct has brick arches with stone piers which have previously been strengthened with tie bars.

Now a number of the tie bars will be tightened as part of the facelift, which will include stitching, grouting, pointing and replacing the brickwork as necessary, removing any vegetation on the viaduct and painting the plates and handrails.

Ray Chan, Network Rail’s scheme project manager, said: “This is a key viaduct on the national rail network. It has stood the test of time for the last 172 years and the work we are doing will keep it going for at least another 20 years.”

The work started on Saturday and will take six weeks.

Beechwood Road will be closed for 24 hours from midday Saturday each weekend. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Local traffic will be diverted via Goldhey Street, Pelham Street, Florence Street and Whalley Old Road, and vice versa.

HGVs will be diverted via Harwood Street, Philips Road, Blakewater Road, Greenbank Road, Gorse Street, Stanley Street, Appleby Street, Eden Street, Eanam, Barbara Castle Way, Larkhill and Whalley Old Road, and vice versa.

The viaduct, which provides a link to the Settle to Carlisle railway line, is used as a diversionary route if the west coast main line is closed and it sees both freight and charter trains in addition to the regular passenger services.