Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
Bridge collapses into River Spey
An ‘iconic’ historic bridge across the River Spey has collapsed with police cordoning off access.
It's 'B' listed, I wonder if they'll restore it ?
Spey Viaduct
- Thread starter Eastsidepilot
- Start date
It's 'B' listed, I wonder if they'll restore it ?
That looks like it would be a seriously expensive task. I'd guess that if one column has failed the others might be suspect too. Rebuilding all the supports is probably financially unviable and it will be scrapped for safety.
Easier to see on Historic rail viaduct collapses into River Spey
Details at Spey Viaduct
Easier to see on Historic rail viaduct collapses into River Spey
Details at Spey Viaduct
Nigel Cliffe
Western Thunderer
There are a lot of historic bridges with serious problems in Scotland - regular high flood levels in rivers doesn't help.
Getting rebuild costs covered depends who is responsible, it could be "Department of Transport / Network Rail" ( responsibility for various historic railway structures, including some in Scotland ), in which case there's a chance of budget. But if its local authority, then they won't have the money to touch it.
If its only the two spans which are affected and the rest is still sound, then a replacement modern section for those spans, built to "walker and cyclist weight" might be a lower cost option to keep the route open.
Getting rebuild costs covered depends who is responsible, it could be "Department of Transport / Network Rail" ( responsibility for various historic railway structures, including some in Scotland ), in which case there's a chance of budget. But if its local authority, then they won't have the money to touch it.
If its only the two spans which are affected and the rest is still sound, then a replacement modern section for those spans, built to "walker and cyclist weight" might be a lower cost option to keep the route open.
Forty-five years ago, I suspect any risk assessment for whatever has caused this ( without wishing any speculation) was that this was a very low risk.
For anyone intrigued by Scottish Listings and potential ramification, see here Scotland listed structures .
Personally, if the viaduct had sufficient "tourist appeal" I wouldn't be surprised if the money was"found" somewhere
For those that have a Facebook account Facebook page
A compilation of aerial shots of the viaduct over several years.
"Scour has been identified as the likely cause of the partial collapse of Spey Viaduct at the weekend. Pier 2, which supported the two affected spans on the west side of the structure, was never intended to be within the river's main channel - instead, they crossed what was effectively its flood plain.
During construction, attempts were made to alter the course of the Spey to flow under the central 368-foot bowstring span. But nature continually intervenes. This timelapse, using GoogleEarth aerial imagery from the past 21 years, reveals the extent to which the course of the river changes, even over a relatively short period.
You will notice a significant alteration between 2022 and 2025, resulting in the southern column of Pier 2 ending up in the middle of the main channel's flow. Local reports suggest this realignment occurred as recently as last year."
A compilation of aerial shots of the viaduct over several years.
"Scour has been identified as the likely cause of the partial collapse of Spey Viaduct at the weekend. Pier 2, which supported the two affected spans on the west side of the structure, was never intended to be within the river's main channel - instead, they crossed what was effectively its flood plain.
During construction, attempts were made to alter the course of the Spey to flow under the central 368-foot bowstring span. But nature continually intervenes. This timelapse, using GoogleEarth aerial imagery from the past 21 years, reveals the extent to which the course of the river changes, even over a relatively short period.
You will notice a significant alteration between 2022 and 2025, resulting in the southern column of Pier 2 ending up in the middle of the main channel's flow. Local reports suggest this realignment occurred as recently as last year."
Scubaidh Dubh
Western Thunderer
Reading the relevant chapter in the GNSRA's title, The Moray Firth Coast Line is quite illuminating as even during the design and construction stage, there was much controversy regarding the viaduct, its position and the flow of the Spey in this area. Much effort and expense was spent in trying to divert the flow of the Spey beneath the central span of the viaduct to no avail and the continual change of the flow channels of the river continued unabated. In the last couple of years, that flow has diverted into the affected section which was pretty much on dry land at the time of construction.
It could reasonably by argued that the seeds of this regrettable situation were sown back in 1883-4.
We should perhaps be grateful that this problem never arose in the period when the bridge was carrying passenger trains as it could quite easily have been thus.
Davy.
It could reasonably by argued that the seeds of this regrettable situation were sown back in 1883-4.
We should perhaps be grateful that this problem never arose in the period when the bridge was carrying passenger trains as it could quite easily have been thus.
Davy.
adrian
Flying Squad
This goes into the changing water course in a little more detail. Rather than just nature intervening it seems like local landowners and fishermen for many years have maintained the gravel banks to control the flow and create ponds for fishing. A few years ago (perhaps 2022?) the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) decided that the water course should be allowed to work it's own course and stopped any maintenance on the gravel banks. Hence not only the water course changes, the river was flowing directly side onto into that pillar that collapsed ( i.e. parallel to the old rail alignment) rather than around it but the fishermen have also lost their fishing ponds.
Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
When you look at an aerial view today of the viaduct the support which collapsed it is in the fastest flowing part of the river i.e. on the outside of the bend, and will be subject to gouging and scouring of the river bed around the support's foundations.
As noted by the video commentator the bridge support was not originally designed to be in the river as the timelapse shows. The changing river channel exposed the bridge support to between 45° and 90° to the water flow and this obstacle changes the dynamics of the water flow by creating localised eddies, turbulence and cavitation which undermined and damaged the support over time.
It does make you wonder if SEPA sought advice on fluid/river dynamics before deciding to let nature take its course.
As noted by the video commentator the bridge support was not originally designed to be in the river as the timelapse shows. The changing river channel exposed the bridge support to between 45° and 90° to the water flow and this obstacle changes the dynamics of the water flow by creating localised eddies, turbulence and cavitation which undermined and damaged the support over time.
It does make you wonder if SEPA sought advice on fluid/river dynamics before deciding to let nature take its course.
The repairs, and perhaps more important, works to prevent the river doing it again will cost a very tidy penny. I doubt the Council will be able to justify that level of expenditure in these difficult times on what is just a footpath , and so it seems it is the end of the bridge. But removing it will not be cheap either.
Osgood
Western Thunderer
I would say it is listing quite badly.
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Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
Yes, Historic Environment Scotland category B, English equivalent Grade II* (the Scottish category C is equivalent to the English Grade II).
Ian@StEnochs
Western Thunderer
I doubt that will have any effect. Ayr Station Hotel was also listed category B, and It has been knocked down.
AJC
Western Thunderer
And this is something that *can* happen to listed building: the nature of statutory protection is complex and demolition is an acceptable (on occasion) outcome with significant caveats. The things do fall into the sea on occasion, after all and sometimes that's an acceptable outcome from a historical perspective (obviously, building owners have... a range of perspectives, let's put it that way). Listing is basically a management strategy and the bands a categorisation tool, it does not mean that the things protected should be unchanged.
I don't know about Scotland, but I do have professional contact with the equivalent agencies in England and Wales: this sort of failure shouldn't have been allowed to happen, but such is the area involved and number of professionals employed, I'm not so surprised, unfortunately.
Adam