Dutton Viaduct
Dutton Viaduct is on the West Coast Main Line where it crosses the River Weaver and the Weaver Navigation between the villages of Dutton and Acton Bridge in Cheshire, England (grid reference SJ581764), not far from Dutton Horse Bridge. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building.
Dutton Viaduct | |
|---|---|
Dutton Viaduct | |
| Coordinates | 53°16′59″N 2°37′43″W |
| Carries | West Coast Main Line |
| Crosses | River Weaver |
| Locale | Dutton, Cheshire |
| Heritage status | Grade II* listed |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 500 yards (457 m) |
| Clearance below | 60 feet (18 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | July 1837 |
| Location | |
The viaduct was constructed during 1836, and was complete on 9 December of that year. It was the longest viaduct on the Grand Junction Railway (GJR). The viaduct was built at a cost of £54,440 (equivalent to £5,450,000 in 2021). The engineers were Joseph Locke and George Stephenson, and William Mackenzie was its contractor.
Since entering use in July 1837, Dutton Viaduct has remained in regular use. During its operating life, it has been subject to change; during the 1960s, the line was electrified overhead lines and supporting metalwork were installed across its length and its line speed was increased to 125 miles per hour (200 km/h) in the West Coast Main Line route modernisation programme. It became a listed structure in the early 1990s.