Network Rail has completed repairs to the historic Royal Border Bridge on the East Coast Main Line in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Network Rail engineers have been working on the Grade I listed bridge since January 2022. In this time they have repaired all of the 170-year-old bridge's 28 arches.

In November 2022, the engineers spotted further repairs that could be made to the structure. The team used a rope access system to avoid covering the structure in scaffolding. It is estimated this created £5 million in savings for the project.


The 40 metre tall structure last underwent major repairs in 1993. The Grade I listing meant Network Rail collaborated with Historic England to ensure the brickwork retained the bridge's iconic look.

Commenting on the project Jon Calvert, Principal Portfolio Manager at Network Rail, said: "It is great that this major project to restore the iconic Royal Border Bridge has now been completed.

"By working innovatively, we've managed to make major savings and keep a vital part of the railway open to passengers during the programme of work. The repairs will mean that we won't need to complete any major maintenance work for the next 30 years and I'm delighted that the bridge is back to its former glory."