Forgotten Relics has produced a video report on Highways England's bridge infilling and demolition programme. It reveals the national impact of HE's destructive intentions on our railway heritage, proposed reopenings, extensions to steam lines and new active travel routes. Here's the YouTube link...
Three bridges are highlighted. The first, at Staward in Northumberland, forms part of a delightful rural station which is now available as a holiday let. The second spans a five-mile missing link between the Eden Valley Railway in Cumbria and Kirkby Stephen East station, which volunteers plan to reinstate. And the third would be incorporated into a new greenway heading west from historic Alnwick in Northumberland. All are threatened with infilling.
There is no engineering justification for what Highways England is proposing and there has been no appraisal of the strategic transport value of the 134 threatened structures. Neither can HE defend its use of Permitted Development powers - only applicable in emergency situations - to drive through many of the schemes without scrutiny.
What's happening here is scandalous. It represents an unwarranted assault on our railway legacy and pulls the rug from under communities who are trying to build a better future.
Please watch the video, share it with your family, friends and colleagues, and encourage them to sign this petition.
Many thanks for your continued support.