Horden Viaduct, Castle Eden Dene

Image: © Les Hull Taken: 22 Nov 2006

This is the largest structure in the Dene. It has ten arches each spanning 60 feet. A special brick-field had to be opened to produce the bricks needed. The viaduct came into use in 1905 and besides carrying rail traffic it was also used by pedestrians. A wooden walkway was constructed on the seaward side of the bridge - must have been great when a north easterly was blowing and the wind was howling - rather them than me - I'm petrified of heights. This was used until 1926 when a road was constructed linking Blackhall with Horden. This information was sent to me by Bob Williams - thank you. "The walk way on the seaward side of Horden viaduct was in use in the 1950s, sometime about 1955 a lady stabbed a man on the footbridge, and for the sake of safety they took the bridge down about that time, I live in Blackhall and we used to use the bridge regularly there was a footpath opposite the granary which was called The Black Path. The local council in its wisdom at the time put a warning notice on the Blackpath that it was dangerous to use the bridge, they also put a notice on the Blackpath a short cut to High Hesleden saying it was not safe to walk at night."

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