Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) engineers have this week begun initial preparation work for the raising and renovation of Crawshaw Woods Bridge, believed to be the earliest cast-iron railway bridge to still be in place over an operational railway anywhere in the world.
Constructed between 1830 and 1834, the Grade II listed bridge overlooked trains steaming into nearby Leeds during the city’s textile production boom during the Industrial Revolution, and served as a main access bridge to the Barnbow munitions factory during the First World War.
Now, after two previous renovations in 1943 and 1999, the cast-iron girders, bridge deck, parapets and original iron railings are to be removed for off-site repair and renovation. When reinstated, the bridge will be raised by approximately 1.5 metres to create enough room for the installation of overhead line equipment (OLE), which will power new electric trains through the area and beyond as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Adam Sellers, senior sponsor for TRU, said: “Crawshaw Woods Bridge’s Grade II listed status, and status as the world’s oldest cast-iron bridge over a live railway, means great care has gone into its renovation, with its removal planned for October this year.
“Following our public consultation in 2022, where we took on feedback from the community, we’re excited that preparation work has now started on what will ultimately improve journeys through West Yorkshire and across the Pennines on cleaner, greener services.
“The reinstatement of the bridge is expected in spring next year, when a structure that has seen such history will stand firm for the next generation of rail travel.”
The work at Crawshaw Woods Bridge is part of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) approved last year, which also includes a number of other major TRU works between Leeds and Micklefield.
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