Category: Latest News

One of the key aims of the Melton Constable Trust is to acquire former railway track bed and where necessary alternative sections of land that will form the Orbital route between the Mid Norfolk Railway and the North Norfolk Railway. Thanks to the generous donations already made by our supporters and members of the local community, we have been able to purchase two key sections of land at Holt and Fakenham.

Some time ago the Trust negotiated an agreement to buy a further section of the original rail route, extending onwards from our existing High Kelling land towards Holt town.  We have been making stage payments towards this acquisition.

• 

As of the 7th February 2021, substantial ongoing fundraising has brought us very close to being able to complete the purchase of this land at High Kelling and only a further £5,000 is needed.  That will include legal costs, fencing and other requirements.

Can you help us to raise this last £5000? If you can then please see below on how you can help. Thank you.

You can make a donation by bank transfer to The Melton Constable Trust at TSB Bank PLC: Sort Code: 30 94 34, Account number: 00493540 using the reference “High Kelling”

If you would prefer to pay by cheque, then please make them payable to The Melton Constable Trust.  If you would like this donation to be treated as Gift Aid then please download this form:

Gift Aid is a form of tax relief that allows charities to receive up to 25% more income from a donation made by a UK taxpayer. Once a donation has been made, a charity can then claim back the basic rate of tax from it from the government. Donors must be a UK taxpayer for your donation to qualify for Gift Aid.

Please send the above to: The Melton Constable Trust, c/o Mr David Bill MBE, 8a, Thornfield Way, Hinckley Way, Leicestershire. LE10 1BE

You can also email Mr David Bill MBE who is a trustee of the Melton Constable Trust: d.bill@ntlworld.com

The Melton Constable Trust is a Registered Charity no: 1090847

• 

Highways England, on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) manages the Historical Railways Estate. The structures that form part of the estate includes, 3, 800 bridges, tunnels and viaducts, including 77 listed structures. Many of these structures are decommissioned and are on disused railway lines and plans have been put forward by Highways England to demolish or infill 134 of theHighways England, on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) manages the Historical Railways Estate. The structures that form part of the estate includes, 3, 800 bridges, tunnels and viaducts, including 77 listed structures. Many of these structures are decommissioned and are on disused railway lines and plans have been put forward by Highways England to demolish or infill 134 of these.

Highways England, on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) manages the Historical Railways Estate. The structures that form part of the estate includes, 3, 800 bridges, tunnels and viaducts, including 77 listed structures. Many of these structures are decommissioned and are on disused railway lines and plans have been put forward by Highways England to demolish or infill 134 of these.

This is only the first phase and it is understood that as many as 480 could be demolished. A significant number of the structures proposed for demolition are currently used by walkers and many of the routes have been identified as possibly being reopened again for rail use along with being used for cycling and walking.

• 

Bridge 1711 crosses the protected railway route running from County School on the Mid Norfolk Railway through to Fakenham and is one of those listed in the first phase for demolition. The track bed through Great Ryburgh and into Fakenham is safeguarded under North Norfolk’s Policy CT7 for Sustainable Transport Uses. We have shared our concerns with Norfolk County Council, local MP’s, District and Parish Councils in order that we can deal with this threat.

Contact will also be made with the Railway Heritage Trust whose objectives are: to assist operational railway companies in the preservation and upkeep of listed buildings and structures. They also offer help to facilitate the transfer of non-operational premises and structures to outside bodies willing to undertake their preservation.

We are members of the Norfolk Rail Policy Group and a representative of the Highways England Historic Railways Estates will be contacted and invited to attend the next meeting in February 2021.

• 

The section of track bed between County School and Fakenham is a vital part of the route which we need to secure for future rail use. If you would like to help us in any way then please go to our support page or get in touch with us through our contact page.

The New Civil Engineer covers the demolition threat in this article.