Infill threat to disused West Berkshire railway bridge
Bridge was part of Didcot line defunct since 1960s
Charlie Masters
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Heritage enthusiasts have discovered that a disused railway bridge outside Hampstead Norreys is one of hundreds across the country at risk of demolition or infill by government agency Highways England.
The bridge is located at Hackney Bottom, just outside the village and was part of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway line, opened in 1882.
Like structures of its kind up and down the country, it is the property of the Historical Railways Estate (HRE), which is managed by Highways England.
Historic railways closed by Beeching at risk of being demolished, campaigners warn
If the structures are demolished, there is a risk the railway lines could never be resurrected
This bridge in Alnwick is earmarked for infilling
Credit: TheHREGroup
The historic railway lines closed by Richard Beeching are at risk of being demolished, campaigners have warned, preventing them from ever being resurrected.
Highways England plans to infill or destroy over 100 bridges and disused train structures in the next five years on the grounds of health and safety.
However, a new campaign group, the Historical Railways Estate (HRE) Group, has called for the structures to be saved, in order to protect relics of Britain s rail history and allow for the lines to one day be reused.