Bridge 1711 near Great Ryburgh
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.
43089 about to pass under Bridge 1711
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.
Track recording car in 1982 passing under Bridge
1711 heading to Great Ryburgh – Photograph courtesy of John Hull
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.