More than a hundred people of all age groups gathered at a historic railway bridge on Sunday (6th September) to demonstrate against National Highways’ proposal to infill it with hundreds of tonnes of concrete.
The state-owned roads company is responsible for the structure which carries the B1368 over the former Buntingford branch at Braughing in Hertfordshire. The original timber bridge, which opened with the railway in 1863, was replaced by the existing one in 1920.
The structure forms part of a group of historic railway assets with the restored and preserved Braughing Station, immediately to the north. It frames a view of the site from a public footpath on its south side.
The infilling scheme, which requires planning permission, is being pursued after inspections recorded severe corrosion of the bridge’s edge girders, bringing the risk of sudden collapse. Campaigners have condemned National Highways for ignoring safety recommendations from both its examiners and consultants.
Ian Ribbons, owner of the station, is the grandson of Horace Ribbons who was appointed stationmaster at Braughing in 1942, remaining in post until the line closed to passengers in 1964. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve learned a lot about the mismanagement of the bridge and how it’s become a threat to public safety”, says Mr Ribbons.
“This was not inevitable; it’s happened through neglect. And now, the problems created by National Highways are being used by the company to justify infilling. They cannot be allowed to get away with that.
“We share the frustration of locals whose journeys are being disrupted by the traffic lights that have been set up to control traffic over the bridge. But infilling is not the answer; there is a repair option on the table that achieves the same safety goals without the heritage harm.”
Sunday’s rally was attended by 107 people, with some travelling from Lincolnshire and Norfolk to show their support. It followed the setting-up of an online petition against the infill scheme which secured its 2,000th signature last week.
Martin Spackman, chair of the Buntingford Railway & Local History Society, was amongst those who gathered at the station. “The mood was determined and upbeat”, he observes. “Too many of our important legacy assets are being lost because custodians are unwilling to recognise their value and look after them appropriately. The station and, by extension, the bridge are valued by the community and embedded in Braughing’s history.
“We understand that money is limited, but that’s not the issue here. If National Highways can afford half-a-million pounds to infill the bridge, why couldn’t it find modest sums to keep up with day-to-day maintenance? Because it wants rid of a perceived liability, come what may. That raises some uncomfortable questions about its suitability as the bridge’s caretaker.”
It’s expected that an application for planning permission to infill the bridge will be submitted within the next few weeks. Meanwhile, campaigners have secured the help of a heritage consultant to seek the local authority’s recognition of the structure as a ‘building of significant interest’ due to its architectural and historical value.
Image credit: Paul Kearley
