The proposed project will give a new lease of life to some of the 3,250 abandoned structures, which include disused rail bridges, embankments, and tunnels. 

National Highways, which is managing the Historical Railways Estate, was planning to demolish or infill many of these historic sites until this latest assessment identified a more sustainable approach. The report of 75 structures, which was produced by active travel charity Sustrans, concluded that:

• 26 structures are potentially suitable for the National Cycle Network (NCN) 
• 24 structures might be useful for local cycling and walking routes 
• 25 further structures are not likely to be reused

Huw Merriman MP, chair of the Transport Select Committee, embraces the DfT’s plan to convert disused sites. He said: “This is a welcome reprieve for more than 50 of our historic railway structures. These structures work well with local cycling and walking plans – a valuable contribution to active travel.”

“The mystery is why these historical structures were sentenced to infilling or demolition in the first place – we should think about preservation before destruction.”

However, there’s still a long way to go as the historic sites will need to be structurally surveyed to ensure they are suitable and safe for their new use. Detailed assessments will be carried out in the coming months to see if this pipeline project can be rolled into action.

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The programme was originally set in motion because maintaining some bridges was deemed to be too dangerous or too costly. Highways England, which manages The Historical Railways Estate (HRE), aimed to reduce liability and risk by either demolishing or infilling the bridges.

The plans were met with significant opposition, including a national campaign by HRE, who disagreed with the motion. Local activists also challenged the initiative.

In light of these concerns, the Department for Transport (DfT) recently announced a review of the scheme.

“By the autumn, we will establish a formalised framework and engagement process for these structures to understand, in each case, whether there is a realistic prospect of it being used for active travel or other transport purposes in future; and to ensure that the views of local stakeholders, including active travel groups and the local authority, are fully taken into account.” 

“Until then, any infilling or demolition on these structures will be paused, unless there is an immediate need to act on grounds of public safety.”

Cumbria’s Eden District Council was one local authority to dispute Highways England’s scheme, stating that the company had refused to pause works on a local bridge after being asked. The council has now requested that Highways England apply for planning permission before going ahead with the infilling.

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The Historical Railways Estate (HRE), which comprises around 3,200 structures, is managed by Highways England on behalf of the Department for Transport. The HRE Group state that the Government-owned company plan to demolish up to 480 of these between now and 2030.

Campaigners are arguing that around one-third of these have already been proposed for reuse in the future. These plans involve new rail routes, cycle paths, extensions of current heritage lines, and other similar projects.

Highways England has stated that many of the legacy rail bridges have failed structural assessments. However, the group has since gathered evidence from a Freedom of Information Act which suggests that 48 percent have not failed and that many of the sites (21 percent) are fit for purpose.

Chris Todd, Director of Transport Action Network, said: “Across the country, new cycle routes are needed, yet a handful of officials within the Department for Transport and Highways England are taking a wrecking ball to structures that could be vital in providing better access to our countryside.

“Our great railway heritage should not be viewed as a liability and it has to be asked whether Highways England is really the right body to be managing these important assets.”

Alongside the petition, MPs are also lobbying the Department for Transport, in order to get the message across to both them and Highways England.

A spokesperson for Highways England, said: “To maintain the safety of communities living near to, and the vehicles using Historic Railway Estate structures, we are planning to infill 115 bridges. We are acting to keep people safe from actual risks identified by experienced engineers who have had the benefit of inspecting the structures.”

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