Landmark gets spring clean

Landmark gets spring clean

The viaduct will be sandblasted clean

Mansfield's historic railway viaduct is undergoing a major renovation.

Specialist contractors have been brought in to carry out repairs to one of the town's most prominent landmarks.

The imposing stone viaduct has dominated the town since the 1870s.

All 15 arches are floodlit at night which has turned it into a local attraction.

But 100 years of dirt and grime have taken its toll.

Now Mansfield District Council is spending more than £200,000 on restoring 10 of the arches to their former glory.

Kate Allsop from Mansfield District Council said: "This is a real picture for Mansfield.

"Blackpool has its tower and Mansfield has its viaduct.

Wonderful architecture

"It's really old, built in the 1800s, it really is a feature of Mansfield.

Using special washing techniques contractors are cleaning it stone by stone and brick by brick, as well as carrying out repairs.

The work is being undertaken as part of plans to regenerate the White Hart Street area.

Ms Allsop added: "When you come to Mansfield it really stands out and we want visitors to remember this wonderful piece of architecture."

She added: "If the viaduct looks dirty and grimy it brings the area down."