Walking the Ribblehead Viaduct
TWO thousand people took the rare opportunity to walk across one of the district's most striking landmarks on Sunday.
The Ribblehead Viaduct is usually a magnet for trainspotters and railway enthusiasts from across the country but at the weekend walkers replaced trains crossing the magnificent 104 foot high structure which boasts 24 arches across its 440 yard length.
Maintenance work meant the viaduct has been closed to trains recently as part of a five-year 60 million upgarde of the line by Network Rail.
The weekend marked the end of that closure which gave the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line the perfect chance to organise a walk across the viaduct and not surprisingly, it sold out.
Dales resident and radio presenter Mike Harding officially launched the event and as well as the chance to walk across the viaduct which was the highlight of the day for most visitors, lots of other activities had been organised.
There were free guided tours of the archaeological remains of the Ribblehead site and free guided walks of the nature reserve at the back of Ribblehead Station.
For children there was a treasure trail, tombola, and interactive activities.
The event helped to raise money to pay for developing the Ribblehead Station site, recently acquired by the Settle & Carlisle Railway Trust with support from the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
It proved so popular that the Friends hope to organise a similar event next year or in 2009.
*If you're interested in the history of the Ribblehead area, the Friends offer tours (without crossing the viaduct) on Wednesdays in July and August, starting from Ribblehead station at 10.25am and 1.15pm. The walking tour crosses some rough terrain, and can be very wet. Train times connect with the tours. You are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. For more details, visit www.settle-carlisle.com/ribbleheadtour.
This website also has details of a recorded version of this tour produced by the Friends with an illustrated map for you to follow if you wish to take the tour by yourself at any time. This can be downloaded onto an MP3 player or computer.
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Weather for Lancaster
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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