On Friday, November 21, 2008, the iconic Thornton Viaduct will re-open for the first time in nearly half a century for locals and tourists alike to enjoy walks and rides over the spectacular former railway crossing.
Up to 300 adults and children are expected to celebrate the latest opening of the Great Northern Railway Trail – the most picturesque section of the traffic-free route that will link six communities from Cullingworth to Queensbury in west Bradford. Local historian Alan Whitaker, son of the stationmaster at the former Thornton Station, will lead the celebrations.
One new section extends from Thornton Primary School - which was built on the former Thornton Station - to Headley Lane over the recently repaired viaduct.
Sustainable transport charity Sustrans is developing the trail - to form part of the National Cycle Network - in partnership with Bradford Council and the Great Northern Railway Trail Forum, a consortium of supporting local organisations. Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) and Bradford Council provided the £350,000 funding needed for this phase.
Forum Chairman Jeff McQuillan said: “This latest new section marks a defining moment when there is no turning back from realising the vision of creating a railway path as a green corridor for the sole use of the general public for the simple joys of cycling, walking and horse riding. There have been many distractions in the way, but the zeal and determination remains strong to achieve our goal.”
David Hall, Sustrans’ Yorkshire Regional Director, said: “The local landscape at Thornton is quite outstanding. Many people who travel regularly on Thornton Road will have no idea of the dramatic views across Clayton Valley, soon to be uniquely accessible to people for a stroll or a bike ride along the railway trail. This section of the trail will also provide a resource for children at Thornton Primary School as well as a safe route to the school from new housing now under development.”
The new one-kilometre section of the trail took four months to construct and the entire six-mile project is expected to finish by 2011. There are now three viaducts and three miles of route open to cyclists, walkers and horse riders offering a new perspective of the rolling hills and old mill towns of west Bradford.
For more information on the trail visit www.thegreatnortherntrail.co.uk
Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk
Source: Sustrans
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Iconic viaduct re-opens as traffic-free route
