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What’s going on?
A small amount of selected tree clearance is taking place to allow the reinstatement of a small section of historically important waggonway.
What is a waggonway?
Waggonways were the predecessors of railways. They were normally worked by horses and used wooden rails and waggons. The waggonway here, the Tanfield Waggonway, was built in around 1725 and eventually became the oldest railway in the world.
Why is the work taking place?
The plan is to recreate a small section of waggonway in time for the 300th anniversary of the Tanfield Waggonway in 2025. The section will be provided with interpretation to help more people understand the history of the waggonway and it’s surroundings.
What will happen once the waggonway is rebuilt?
It is intended that this small section of waggonway will take an important role in helping to interpret Causey Arch, the route of the waggonway and its surrounding area for years to come. It is possible that a horse and Waggon may occasionally run on the waggonway too.
Is this harming wildlife?
Every effort is being made to limit any impact to wildlife. Only the minimum number of trees required will be removed or trimmed. The work will also be timed to take place at times of the year when sensitive species will not be harmed.
Will any of the trees be replaced?
It is possible that some of the trees in this area were planted as saplings when the waggonway was built. We are looking at opportunities to do the same when the recreated section of waggonway is built?
Who is carrying out the work?
The work is being carried out by the Tanfield Railway together with its charitable arm the Tyneside Locomotive Museum Trust. It is intended that the completed waggonway section will be of great interest to future visitors of the Tanfield Railway.
24 February 2019