For more than two years, our campaign to protect the nation’s Historical Railways Estate of 3,100 legacy structures has benefited from generous private donations and self-funding.

However, we are currently seeking £2,500 for legal help in support of our objections to infill schemes where National Highways has breached permitted development rights and their works are now unauthorised. In two cases, the local planning authorities have already asked the company to submit retrospective planning applications.

St Andrew’s Lane bridge near King’s Lynn, Norfolk was a rare surviving example of an early modular concrete structure from 1926 and spanned a dismantled railway which is now the focus of a greenway proposal. Rudgate bridge near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire comprised a masonry arch dating from 1846 and was infilled without any engineering justification.

Together, these schemes burdened the taxpayer with a £260K bill; repairs would have cost a fraction of that and avoided the environmental impacts of transporting and placing hundreds of tonnes of stone and concrete in rural landscapes. The opportunity to reuse these structures in the future has been lost.

We would really appreciate your help in challenging National Highways' infill schemes if you’re able. This link will take you to CrowdJustice where donations can be made.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/protect-our-railway-heritage

Very many thanks for your continued support.