Falling Sands, Severn Valley Railway

Client: Severn Valley Railway
Dates: 2018
Budget: £853,000 (National Lottery Heritage Fund grant) + £397,000 (Public and Private Contributions)
Project: “Falling Sands Viaduct”
The Falling Sands Viaduct, a 142-year-old railway bridge and an iconic part of the Severn Valley Railway, has been a crucial link on the 16-mile heritage railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth since its completion in 1877. Over time, water ingress and brickwork deterioration threatened its structural integrity, necessitating urgent restoration.
In 2018, the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust secured an £853,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, complemented by £397,000 in public and private donations, to fund the viaduct’s restoration and develop an activity programme exploring the railway’s early history.
Alix Slater Consultancy & Training Ltd supported Cultural Consulting Network with the project’s Activity Planning, ensuring that alongside the vital structural repairs, the history of the viaduct and the experiences of those who built and worked on the railway would be shared with visitors and the local community. The Activity Plan focused on engaging volunteers, apprentices, and local organisations to research and interpret the Victorian-era railway construction, bringing to life the personal stories of those involved. This work supported the development of exhibitions, educational activities, and visitor engagement initiatives that enhance the public’s understanding of the railway’s history.
Restoration work commenced in December 2019, with the track lifted, ballast removed, and new concrete poured to secure the viaduct’s long-term future. The project ensures that Falling Sands Viaduct remains a vital part of the Severn Valley Railway, preserving an important piece of British railway heritage while deepening public engagement with its fascinating past.