An interpretation board has been refreshed and replaced at Ribblehead Viaduct thanks to a family’s fundraising efforts.

The Coates family raised £1,600 for the design and installation of the panel by completing a sponsored walk, supported and led by Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (FoSCL).  

The walk followed a route alongside a section of the Settle-Carlisle railway line. Their 45-mile (72.5km) route passed under Ribblehead Viaduct, which stands at the head of the Ribble Valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.  

The panel is dedicated to Clifford Coates, a builder and carpenter from Oxenhope, West Yorkshire. It is the second board to be funded by the family, after previously raising money for an original installation in 2006. Clifford had a deep appreciation for the viaduct and the story of its construction, and the new panel explains the history and significance of the railway and the men who built it, while also commemorating Clifford’s life. 

Clifford’s daughter, Caroline Coates, said: “If the spirit of a landscape defines a man, then the Ribblehead Viaduct defined my father. To him it was a place of human endeavour and sacrifice – existing against the odds, despite the harsh conditions of the day. 

“He loved Ribblehead, and what it represented. A place of pilgrimage and harsh beauty. This panel is a great representation of the legacy of the area and a lovely way to honour my father. 

“We hope the striking new board will last at least another 20 years and be helpful to those visiting this site of extraordinary and majestic engineering.” 

The Coates family originally had the idea for an interpretation panel following Clifford’s death in 2005, as a way to honour his memory. Money for the original panel was raised by a sponsored walk beside the entire 100-mile (160km) Settle-Carlisle line, taking the family eight days to complete.  

Although the panel lasted well, recently its words and pictures had begun to deteriorate. On seeing the poor state of the panel, Caroline Coates contacted Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Area Manager (Southern Dales) Kate Hilditch to see if it could be replaced. Together they worked on refreshing and updating the information and images, and the panel was installed by the ranger service in August. 

Caroline Coates expressed her family’s heartfelt thanks to those involved: “We are extremely grateful to Susan Way and Lyndi Clarke and the FoSCL team, and to Kate, whose support made the board possible and whose team installed it. Thanks also to Bryan Gray for providing the images, Mark Chung for gathering the information, and to all those who walked with us and supported our efforts.” 

Member Champion for Promoting Understanding Neil Heseltine said: “The Coates’ fundraising efforts have helped us to share the story of this cherished Dales landmark. Thanks to their generosity, visitors can now enjoy the spectacular scenery while also discovering the rich history that surrounds it.  

“We are extremely grateful to the Coates family and the FoSCL team for their commitment to preserving this legacy, and it is a meaningful tribute to Clifford Coates, whose love for the area continues to inspire people.”