Last update 22 February 2022
Like tunnels, viaducts are often a vast engineering feature and are by their nature clearly visible to all. This listing attempts to catalogue all British viaducts on the network current at 2016 plus others as research has found, giving their lengths where known. Please note that lengths quoted can vary depending on measurement source.
There are varied opinions over what constitutes a viaduct and what a bridge. It is not this site's intention to attempt a set definition acceptable to all. Broadly, those included here have the word 'viaduct' in their official title or description. Certain large bridges are also shown where they provide a complete picture (principally where there is a viaduct either side).
Similarly, there are varied opinions over what constitutes a span. These pages attempt to count every space underneath through which it is theoretically possible to pass as a span. Generally that will be the number of arches constructed or girder lengths installed. In this definition, a single girder with two intermediate support legs counts as three spans.
Where possible, start and end mileages are given. Sometimes, only one distance is given, as recorded in official documentation. Over the years, three main conventions have been used in recording viaduct mileages as a single point:
There was undoubtedly consistency at one time, but the mix now appears quite random. Even when both end mileages are known, they are not always correct, so the astute will spot occasions when the length does not match the start and end points. In short, the data given is as complete and as accurate as is known.
Viaducts are listed by name with cross references to alternative names where applicable.
This document dated 1979 is a British Rail catalogue of its listed buildings 7.2Mb file. It is not limited to viaducts; there are undoubtedly other designations since then.
As a means of travelling below ground level, rather than above as on these pages, please see the tunnels pages. These bridge pages catalogue all bridges on operational lines in the context of their surrounding features.