 Howdon Viaduct in Wallsend is one of the oldest structures on Metro, and has been protected for the future in a £1.7m renewal scheme.
The stone piers were built in 1838 to support a wooden viaduct on the Newcastle to North Shields railway, one of the world's first commuter lines. The current iron and steel structure dates to 1858.
Nexus spent a year restoring the Grade II listed vidauct during 2005/6, treating corrosion and applying 6,000 litres of specialist paint in a distinctive green and red colour scheme sympathetic to the history of the structure. The end of the renewal project was celebrated in a media event by Emmerdale actress Charlie Hardwick, who as a child lived very close to the viaduct, and kindly agreed to join Nexus celebrating the completion of work.
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