Healey Dell Viaduct is a viaduct situated in Healey Dell Nature Reserve in the Spodden Valley, on the outskirts of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, England. It is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) from Whitworth, Lancashire. It was built in 1867 and carried the Rochdale to Bacup Railway Line, opening to passengers on 1 November 1870. It operated until 1949, and carried coal trains until into the 1960s.[1]

Healey Dell Viaduct
The viaduct, from the dell
Coordinates53°38′24″N 2°10′56″W / 53.6400°N 2.1823°W / 53.6400; -2.1823
CarriesNational Cycle Network
CrossesRiver Spodden
LocaleHealey Dell
Rochdale
Greater Manchester
England
Characteristics
MaterialGritstone
Height105 ft (32 m)
No. of spansEight
History
Construction end1867
Closed1960s
Location
Map

The viaduct was built from locally quarried gritstone and only a single track wide. It is 105 ft (32 m) high above the river, with eight arches, each with a 30 ft (9.1 m) span.[2]

In November 1984, the viaduct was Grade II listed.[3]

Today it carries the National Cycle Network, Regional Network Route 92 which joins National Route 66.[4]

Healey Dell is on the Rochdale Way and the Pennine Bridleway passes the northern end.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ "The peaceful nature reserve in Greater Manchester with woodland and waterfalls". Manchester Evening News. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Healey Dell Viaduct". National Transport Trust. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Healey Dell Viaduct". Historic England. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Healey Dell Nature Reserve". Rochdale Online. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Friends of Healey Dell website". 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
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