Home / Disasters and Accidents / Knaresborough Viaduct Walkway Collapse Threatens Further Damage
Knaresborough Viaduct Walkway Collapse Threatens Further Damage
14 May
Summary
- A landslip caused walkway collapse under Knaresborough Viaduct.
- Councillors urge urgent repairs to prevent winter weather damage.
- Council plans initial surveys soon, with repairs possible by year's end.
Local councillors are pressing North Yorkshire Council to expedite repairs on a damaged walkway beneath Knaresborough Viaduct following a February landslip. The collapse occurred under the iconic structure that carries passenger trains and crosses the River Nidd. Liberal Democrat councillors Matt Walker and Hannah Gostlow are advocating for the incident to be urgently addressed, warning that winter weather could worsen the erosion and increase repair costs.
The council, a Conservative-led minority administration, has indicated that initial surveys will commence shortly, with detailed design work to follow. They are closely monitoring the situation and have implemented a cordon to keep boats away from the affected area. Repairs cannot begin until designs are approved by Network Rail and the Environment Agency.
If approvals are swift and ground conditions permit, the earliest estimated start for repairs is towards the end of the year. Residents also expressed frustration, highlighting that the ongoing situation negatively impacts the town's visitor economy and safety. A petition signed by over 500 residents calling for reclassification of the incident is set to be presented to the Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee.
