The embankment immediately adjacent to (and to the south of) Bridge SAC/322 suffered a partial collapse in December 2015 following an extended period of particularly wet weather. As the embankment collapsed, it demolished part of the bridge's south-eastern wing wall.
Temporary repairs were made by Network Rail within a few days.
Permanent repairs were undertaken during the first quarter of 2017. (Eden District Council Planning Application Number 16/1069 relates to these works.) As part of the permanent repairs*:
- a concrete culvert was constructed through the bridge arch (to allow surface water to drain from the western side of the embankment);
- the two parapet walls were reduced in height;
- the 'tunnel' (bridge arch) was infilled with 'foamed concrete';
- the wingwalls were 'decommissioned'; and
- the void was infilled with 'compacted class 6N fill'.
* Source: A pdf document submitted by Network Rail to Eden District Council as part of the planning process. At the time this document was reviewed, its filename was "16-1069 - Drawings.pdf".
In essence, the original bridge was entombed and completely hidden from view.
Bridge 322 lies within the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area. However, despite this, the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line were NOT consulted (by either Network Rail or Eden District Council) prior to these works being undertaken.