Client: Durham County Council
Location: Etherley, County Durham

Project Summary

To celebrate the bicentennial of the world’s first steam-powered passenger railway, Durham County Council secured Levelling Up funding to create a new walking and cycling route along the historic Stockton & Darlington Railway line. The route connects communities, promotes sustainable travel, and celebrates local heritage.

A key challenge was a steep embankment near Greenfield Road in Etherley, where a new ramp was needed to safely connect the cutting to the top of the embankment. Lynas Engineers, working with long-time collaborators JME Consultants, designed and detailed a kingpost retaining wall ramp, delivering accessibility while protecting the sensitive site.

The location sits within a Scheduled Monument, surrounded by mature woodland and within a high coal mining risk area. This required a non-intrusive, sustainable engineering solution that respected both the environment and the site’s industrial heritage.

Engineering Approach

After reviewing multiple options, including an earth berm and gabion wall, the team selected a kingpost retaining wall. This approach minimised excavation, preserved trees, and reduced embodied carbon compared to concrete alternatives.

Precision auguring allowed vertical shafts to be drilled exactly where needed, limiting ground disturbance and eliminating intrusive investigations. Archaeologists monitored all works to ensure compliance with Historic England requirements. Hardwood timber infill beams were specified over concrete, recycled materials were used for the sub-base, and concrete mixes were optimised to reduce cement content, balancing longevity with sustainability.

Aesthetic choices paid homage to the site’s history: jet-black steel kingposts referenced early steam engines, and timber beams mirrored traditional railway sleepers. A permeable finish ensures natural surface water flow.

Successes

• Gained Scheduled Monument Consent through careful, low-impact design.
• Preserved the majority of native trees, with only five removed and reused on-site to create new wildlife habitats.
• Delivered a solution balancing heritage protection, sustainability, and innovation.
• Strengthened collaboration with JME Consultants, showcasing shared expertise and commitment to quality.

The ramp is now complete, providing safe, sustainable access and a lasting connection to a historically significant site, demonstrating how sensitive design can transform complex heritage locations.