Ouse Valley Viaduct The Ouse Valley Viaduct is just a couple of miles along the Haywards Heath Road from Balcombe.

History

Built in 1841, the Ouse Valley Viaduct (also called Balcombe Viaduct) over the River Ouse on the London-Brighton Railway Line north of Haywards Heath and south of Balcombe is 1,475 feet (450 m) long, 96 feet (29 m) high and is carried on 37 semi-circular arches with pierced piers.

It was designed by engineer John Urpeth Rastrick in association with the architect of the London to Brighton railway, David Mocatta. Construction completed 1842. The 11 million bricks needed for its construction travelled up the Ouse River (via Newhaven and Lewes) from Holland. It was restored in 1996. The structure is a Grade II listed building.

The viaduct is still used, with around 110 trains a day passing over it on the Brighton Main Line.

Links

The Ouse Valley Way

Documentary

15 minute Photo Challange - Balcombe Viaduct - Week 65

Train crossing viaduct

Heart of Sussex Part 2

Comments   

 
+1 # Guest 2012-01-02 15:53
I wish to contest the statement regarding the origin of brick used in construction of the ouse valley viaduct,whearas there is some debate about their providence,they certainly did not come from the continent,the logistics alone would not permit 300.000 barge movements,my research suggests they were hand made locally with Mr Rastrick specifying the size that became the london brick,however there is an invoice in the ouse valley navigation books for the bricks from a brickmakers in piddinghoe,the cement would have come from Lewes area and the stonework did come from Caen,I have published a booklet on the building of the viaduct should anyone want a copy.
Mike Laker January 2012
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This website is maintained by Andrew Edmondson, 4 Stumbelemad, Balcombe, West Sussex, RH17 6LR (tel: 01444 811413)