Ribblehead viaduct and one of the interpretation boards detailing the archaeology of the area

Walkers in the Yorkshire Dales accustomed to walking under the imposing Ribblehead viaduct will have a chance to go over the structure this summer.

Engineering work on the Settle-Carlisle railway means the viaduct will be free of trains during July, and Network Rail has agreed with the Settle Carlisle Railway Trust to repeat the walk over the 24-arch structure which took place in 2007. 3,000 places on the walk are available.

The walk is timed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the line’s saving from the threat of closure and will take place on Sunday, 26 July.

The viaduct walk will be started by Emmerdale actor Tom Brown, who lives nearby in Ingleton.

Proceeds from the walk, which costs £15, will go towards the work of the Settle Carlisle Railway Trust in restoring and maintaining buildings along the line, which passes through some of the Dales’ most spectacular scenery and is heavily used by walkers accessing the area.

Only holders of prepaid tickets will be allowed on to the viaduct, which stands 32m (104ft) above Batty Moss and runs for 402m in the shadow of both Whernside and Ingleborough. The viaduct was completed in 1874.

There will also be guided walks of the areas around the foot of the viaduct, which has many archaeological remains from the shanty town that was built there to accommodate the thousands of navvies who worked on the railway’s construction during the 19th century. grough has a feature on the area, detailing a walk using a podcast guide to Ribblehead and its environs.

Details of the viaduct walk and a downloadable booking form can be found on the Settle-Carlisle Partnership website.