Supporters of the Stainmore Railway Company are among enthusiasts who have criticised Highways England over a bridge infilling programme.
The rail enthusiasts say the planned bridge work threatens the viability of reopening routes and extending heritage lines.
The state-owned roads company manages the Historical Railways Estate of 3,100 disused structures on behalf of the Department for Transport.
It emerged in January that 115 bridges and tunnels are going to be filled in and a further 15 demolished as part of an asset management programme described by campaigners as “unwarranted and destructive”.
According to The HRE Group — an alliance of engineers, cycling advocates and greenway developers — 21 of the at-risk structures are intended for reuse as part of railways or active travel routes, while a further 19 could play similar roles in the medium term.
In Cumbria, the Stainmore Railway Company has the long-term goal of uniting its operation with the Eden Valley Railway by relaying five miles of track between Kirkby Stephen and Warcop.
But the plan is now in jeopardy as Highways England’s contractor, AMCO-Giffen, set up site at Great Musgrave last week to start infilling a bridge, blocking the route. The masonry structure, which carries a narrow road over the former trackbed, is rated for vehicles of 17 tonnes.
Mike Thompson, project manager for the Stainmore Railway Company, said: “Heritage railways make significant contributions to local economies and a line connecting Appleby and Kirkby Stephen — which is our ultimate aim — would bring much-needed tourism benefits to the Eden Valley.
“We do not underestimate the engineering challenges involved, but plans to overcome them have been in development for a long time. Engagement with the council, other stakeholders and the community has built support for the link.
“But infilling a perfectly good bridge puts years of hard work at risk and could scupper our plans. The structure was built in 1862 so would benefit from some minor repairs, but to suggest that it presents any meaningful threat to public safety — which is what Highways England has told the local council — is simply ridiculous.”
Both the Stainmore Railway Company and Norfolk Orbital Railway are engaging with local councillors and MPs to oppose Highways England’s plans.
Since the 1960s, hundreds of structures have been taken into the ownership of more than 150 heritage railways across the UK. The sector has accrued considerable expertise in the management and maintenance of Victorian bridges.
However, under Department for Transport policy, structures within the Historical Railways Estate can no longer be transferred to heritage railways, condemning many to an uncertain future.
