National Highways has U-turned on plans to infill a 140-year-old bridge in East Sussex.
…working in partnership to update our knowledge ….which will inform future options…
New Civil Engineer writes:
It comes after months of vocal opposition to the planned infilling from local councils and community groups in Barcombe.
The decision was announced in a letter from National Highways head of HRE Programme Hélène Rossiter sent to a local campaign group.
The letter states that National Highways “do not intend to infill this structure”.
It adds: “National Highways, East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council […] are working in partnership to update our knowledge of the use of structure which will inform future options for ensuring the safety of the bridge for the public.”
Carrying a minor road, Barcombe’s Church Road bridge was built in the early 1880s as part of a railway line connecting Lewes and East Grinstead.
Its brick parapets and wingwalls have been subject to movement for many years – with cracks recorded as long ago as 1994. National Highways had originally intended to bury the structure within an estimated 1,800t of aggregate and concrete.
In October, 176 residents sent a letter to National Highways expressing their opposition to infilling, while Lewes District Council wrote to transport secretary Grant Shapps demanding the “full and unequivocal cessation” of the infill policy.
The structure is part of the Historical Railways Estate managed by National Highways on behalf of the DfT and comprises 3,200 bridges, tunnels and viaducts, including 77 listed structures…
National Highways is in the process of finalising a new method for assessing structures within its HRE programme.
