Images of Hockley Viaduct (11) - 14 January 2014

Hockley Viaduct (originally Shawford Viaduct) was built by the LSWR to connect the tracks of the Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway (DN&SR) to its own. As the name suggests, the latter had intended to run to Southampton but, in fact, got no further than the erstwhile terminus at Winchester Cheesehill (later Chesil) which will be documented later in this photostream. Cheesehill became a through station in 1891. The viaduct was restored in 2012/13 and is now part of National Cycle Route 23. For me, it is an important part of railway history and, for those with no such interest, it forms part of a beautiful walk or ride with enticing views of the Itchen and its meadows. The pathway of the viaduct is marked with dandelion clock motifs which are replicated on this attractive, inscribed bench in an alcove along the way.

200_P1000234