Smardale Gill Lime Kilns

Overview

Smardale Gill lime kilns near Kirkby Stephen are one of Westmorland’s most important C19 industrial sites. The massive stone structures are listed, Grade II. They had been one of ten Scheduled Monuments and 74 Listed Buildings in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to be classed as ‘at risk’. The repair project was led by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, as part of the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Tasks / challenges

Significant structural issues to the kilns including cracking and bulging to the facework were identified by Mason Clark Associates’ team of engineers. There was risk to the remains through intrusive vegetation (large trees!) growing into the firing bowls on the upper face, and also adjacent to the side walls of the complex.

Access to the remote site was heavily restricted due to the sensitivity of the surrounding ecology and underlying archaeological remains, together with complications due to work on the nearby viaduct and long periods of unsettled weather.

Activity

Mason Clark Associates were engaged to update the structural condition assessment to accompany the level three archaeological/historic building surveys. We produced a detailed methodology to stabilise and repair the fabric of the kiln.

We carried out regular site inspections and advised on deep grouting to the rubble core of the monument, together with packing and infilling of voids and face stone repairs. We have also advised on long-term monitoring and maintenance of the structure.

Our Project Management team assembled the contract documents and obtained tender prices from suitable heritage contractors. We managed the contract administration and acted as project Quantity Surveyor.