Bourne Valley Viaducts

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Bourne Valley Viaducts

The Bourne Valley Viaducts are two old brick railway bridges in Bournemouth and Poole, England. One is still in use on the South West Main Line from London to Weymouth, between Bournemouth and Branksome. The other is no longer used.

History and design
- The first viaduct, built in 1888, has ten curved arches.
- In 1893 a second viaduct was added on the west side to create a triangle of routes, letting trains head west to Poole and bypass Bournemouth West station.
- The bridges cross the River Bourne. Underneath are Surrey Road and Gordon Road near Coy Pond and Bournemouth Gardens, as the line runs along Bourne Valley Road toward Branksome.

Important events
- The original bridge was closed in 1965 during the Beeching cuts.
- On 27 March 1941, a Luftwaffe air raid hit the nearby Bourne Valley Gasworks canteen, killing 33 people. It is believed the viaducts were the intended target.
- Brickwork repairs were carried out in 1998, costing about £50,000.
- In 2020, a lorry crashed into the bridge.
- Improvements were made in 2023 by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

Future plans
- In November 2024, Branksome East Viaduct was listed as being earmarked for demolition. The viaduct is considered to be under structural threat, but a demolition date is not expected soon.
- The disused bridge is planned to be demolished by 2035 because it is considered life-expired.
- A local community group plans to apply for listing the viaduct and to propose a plan to restore it as a nature and heritage park.
- WWII military defenses remain beneath the bridge.