PLANS have been submitted to carry out repairs on one of Scotland’s most iconic tourist attractions.
An application for listed building consent has been handed to Highland Council by Network Rail in order to allow temporary repairs to take place on the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which has become an increasingly popular tourist destination after appearing in the Harry Potter films.
Work is required on cracking above one of the bridge’s 21 concrete arches, with a temporary brace set to be installed in the area if the plans are given the greenlight.
The solution will protect the structure until full repairs are completed as part of a wider refurbishment programme on the 122-year-old viaduct.
It is understood the work will take place during a series of nightshifts and will not interrupt the running of services on the structure.
The repair work will involve securing a metal bracket on the parapet (side wall) on the north side of the viaduct, which will minimise the visual impact of the repair on the structure for visitors to the area.
Alan Ross, director of engineering and asset management for Scotland’s Railway, said: “The viaduct is an iconic landmark which attracts visitors from across the world, so we’ve worked hard to develop a solution which protects the structure while minimising the visual impact of our work.
“We explored a range of options to address the repair and the bracket we will install offers the best technical and visual solution that can be delivered in a way that will not disrupt passenger services on the line.”
It comes after locals complained of the impact of overtourism on the area due to the viaduct’s increasing fame.
READ MORE: Glenfinnan: How a Highland hamlet is cracking under Harry Potter mania
In 2019, 500,000 people visited Glenfinnan – which is home to just 150 permanent residents – with visitor numbers already up by around 10% in 2023 compared to this time in 2019.
However, last month The Sunday National reported on how infrastructure in the area is struggling to cope with the volume of sightseers, with Highland MSP Kate Forbes calling for a single organisation to take ownership of the issue.
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