Stone placed for Lune Aqueduct

Specialist high level repair company, Stone Technical Services, recently completed a multi-million pound restoration project on a 200 year old bridge after securing the contract to complete a major refurbishment programme of works on the Lune Aqueduct, near Lancaster.

The Grade I listed structure, which dates back to the 1790s, carries the Lancaster Canal 664ft across the River Lune at 61ft above the ground. As part of a high profile renovation project, funded by a £1m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and money from British Waterways, Stone restored the historic masonry and brickwork on the bridge.

Working alongside infrastructure specialists, May Gurney, the six week project consisted of several facets. The main aspect involved the careful removal of cement-based pointing to internal and external terraces on the bridge. Stone replaced and rebuilt all of the lime mortar and terrace balcony copings which had fallen into disrepair through continued weather damage and the age of the structure.

The balusters, which form the terrace walls, had to be re-fitted and all of the outer plinths of the aqueduct needed to be redressed and re-pointed. All open joins across the full span of the aqueduct were also re-pointed and crack-stitching and gravity grouting were applied to external fissures and stonework.

Stone’s heritage masons removed and replaced all the canal kerbs and re-dressed them to their former state, by hand, using traditional methods. The final part of the project for Stone was to remove all of the vegetation on the aqueduct, which included a licensed herbicide spraying, all of which was completed using specialist rope access.

Family-run Stone, which has offices in Darlington, Stockport, central London and Middlesex, are experts in the area of bridge repairs and refurbishments, completing a range of works such as concrete repairs, emergency making-safe repairs, upgrading and general maintenance and thermal imaging surveys for organisations such as English Heritage and British Waterways.

Managing director, Dave Stone said: “The Lune Aqueduct is a real masterpiece and is often referred to as one of the ‘wonders of the waterways’. Due to its age it has fallen into disrepair so we’re working to preserve its historic features and also improving public access. Bridges are one of our growth areas as we have the industry-accredited craftsmen and the necessary public safety requirements readily available, working to install safety barriers and a specialist access systems, where required.”