Stamford Bridge Viaduct

Image: © Paul Glazzard Taken: 4 Aug 2008

Viaduct where the York to Beverley railway line crosses the River Derwent, west of Stamford Bridge, looking north-northwest from the top of the field near Fox Glade off Huntsmans Lane. The high viaduct consists of 15 brick arches and an iron span above the river. The railway was proposed by George Hudson "the Railway King" who lived at Londesborough Hall just north of Market Weighton. The track between York and Market Weighton opened on 3rd October 1847 but the continuation of the line to Beverley was delayed until 1st May 1865. This was due largely to Hudson's downfall after the collapse of the over-inflated railway share price when he was accused of corruption, bribing MPs and selling land he did not own. Hudson left Londesborough in disgrace and was imprisoned in York Castle for debt in 1865. The line closed to passengers in November 1965 after Richard Beeching's 1963 report on the viability of the railways, but locals have always argued that this was a mistake and to this day there is an ongoing campaign to have the railway reopened.

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