{"id":67749,"date":"2025-11-12T14:03:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T14:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=67749"},"modified":"2025-11-12T14:03:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T14:03:35","slug":"council-takes-control-of-historic-meldon-viaduct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/council-takes-control-of-historic-meldon-viaduct\/","title":{"rendered":"Council takes control of historic Meldon Viaduct"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cabinet on Wednesday (November 12) agreed to dissolve the Meldon Viaduct Company Limited, bringing the management and future funding of the iconic Victorian structure directly under the council\u2019s control.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision marks a significant shift in how the Grade II listed viaduct near Okehampton will be preserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built in the 1870s by engineers Galbraith and Church for the London and South West Railway, the wrought iron truss bridge now carries the Granite Way cycle and footpath, part of the National Cycle Network Route 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meldon Viaduct Company was established in 1998 to maintain the structure and attract grant funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the company has struggled to raise significant sums, averaging just \u00a313,000 a year, while DCC has continued to provide administrative and financial support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With major renovation works estimated at \u00a32\u20133 million over the next decade, councillors agreed that winding up the company was the most efficient way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the new arrangements, the lease of the viaduct will revert to the Council, which will now lead on securing external funding from bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capital reserves held by the company will be ring\u2011fenced to support future maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Simon Clist, our Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources: said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cMeldon Viaduct is one of Devon\u2019s most important heritage assets and a vital part of the Granite Way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Granite Way attracts thousands of walkers and cyclists each year, supporting businesses along the route and contributing to carbon reduction goals and plays a key role in our policy of promoting active travel.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy bringing it \u2018in-house\u2019 we can unlock proper funding to ensure that this unique bridge stands strong for future generations to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

Legal processes will now begin to dissolve the company, with DCC working alongside the Charity Commission to ensure reserves are transferred appropriately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A further report will be brought to Cabinet once funding routes have been established. In the meantime, survey work is already under way to prepare for the extensive renovations required to preserve the viaduct\u2019s unique wrought iron lattice piers and trusses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":859,"featured_media":67750,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[34,25,986],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-environment-and-climate-change","category-roads-and-transport"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":67750,"title":"","alt":"Meldon Viaduct","description":"","caption":"Meldon Viaduct 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