Gelt Bridge - Izeria

The Gelt Bridge or Gelt Viaduct (also known as Middle Gelt Bridge) is a skew arch railway viaduct in the parish of Hayton, east of Carlisle in Cumbria, north west England. Built from 1832, it is one of the earliest and largest skew bridges in Britain. It is a Grade II* listed building.

1. Background

The idea of linking Newcastle upon Tyne on England's east coast with Carlisle on the west dates back to at least the 1770s, when proposals were tabled for a canal. The prospectus for the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was published in 1825 and construction work began in 1829 under the supervision of Francis Giles. The line was one of the earliest mainline railways and Britain's first major east-west line. Giles was the consulting engineer for the entire line but was also directly responsible for the principal works at the western end, which presented some of the greatest engineering challenges on the route, including the Gelt Bridge and the Corby Bridge (or Wetheral Viaduct) and Corby Viaduct some five miles closer to Carlisle.

1. Design

The bridge consists of three skew arches, each with a span of 30 feet (9 metres), standing on two rusticated pillars. It carries the railway 60 feet (18 metres) over the River Gelt in a deep but narrow gorge. The bridge has a skew angle of 27 degrees. It is built from rusticated red sandstone, with smoothed voussoirs and V-shaped joints. An iron railing forms the bridge parapet. A plaque is built into each of the abutments; one reads "Gelt Bridge: Francis Giles Engineer, John McKay Builder, MDCCCXXXII; MDCCCXXXV"; The other has the same inscription in Latin.

1. History

The bridge was designed by Francis Giles, engineer to the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, and built by the contractor, John McKay. Construction began in 1832 and the bridge was completed by 1835, making it one of the earliest railway skew bridges and one of the largest of its era. The viaduct is still in use, carrying the modern Tyne Valley line. It is a grade II* listed building.

1. See also

Grade II* listed buildings in Cumberland Listed buildings in Hayton, Carlisle

1. References

Nearby Places View Menu

Gelt Woods

Gelt Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the valley of the River Gelt. It is located 2km south of Brampton, near the village of Low Geltbridge in Cumbria, England. This protected area includes exceptional gorge woodland at a location where the River Gelt has cut through the New Red Sandstone. The area is protected because of the rare species of moss and liverworts and because of the diversity of woodland bird species. Part of the protected area is owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Hiking National Park

Talkin

Talkin is a village in Cumbria, England, close to Talkin Tarn.

Landmark Neighbourhood

Talkin Tarn

Talkin Tarn is a glacial lake and country park near Brampton, Cumbria, England. The lake is in a kettle hole, formed 10,000 years ago by mass glacial action. Situated just 20 minutes from Carlisle by road, or a short train journey via Brampton Junction, this is a popular venue for families and local people. Talkin Tarn Country Park is owned and maintained by Cumberland Council. It is home to the Boat House Tea Rooms, Brampton Sailing Club, and Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club. The profits from the Tea Rooms and the pay and display car parking are reinvested in the upkeep and improvement of the site. Rowing is an activity at Talkin Tarn. The rowing club, Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009. Rowing races were first held on Talkin Tarn in the 1850s, and the Rowing Club was formed in 1859 by local townsfolk, several descendants of whom still live in the area. It is the oldest rowing club in the North of England, with the exception of Tyne Rowing Club, and is the 14th oldest non-university club in the country. Talkin Tarn Annual Regatta has grown considerably in recent years from a total entry of 20 in 1946 and 97 in 1988 to what it is today – very successful and one of the largest one-day regattas outside of London with total entries now in excess of 400. Research on climate change carried out at Talkin Tarn was published in 2004. Old buckles, stone axes, and urns have been found in the area.

Fishing Kayaking

Castle Carrock

Castle Carrock is a village and civil parish on the B6413 road, in the Cumberland District, in the English county of Cumbria about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Brampton. The population of the Civil Parish was 303 in 2001 and rose to 328 by 2011. It has a pub, The Duke of Cumberland, a primary school and many walks. More recently Castle Carrock is known for 'Cumbria's Most Friendly Music Festival' Music on the Marr which takes place each year at the end of July. It attracts a diverse crop of music, entertainers, artists and poets from around the world. Castle Carrock is surrounded on the south by Leath Ward, on the west by Cumrew and Carlatton, on the north by Brampton and Hayton, and on the east by Northumberland.

Landmark Neighbourhood