Cumbrian bridge infill sparks heritage controversy

摘要

PLANS by two heritage railways to reconnect have been dealt a blow by the controversial infilling of a bridge on the former Eden Valley route in Cumbria.Work on the bridge carrying the B6259 road over the disused stretch of the Kirkby Stephen East-Appleby East line near Great Musgrave was completed in mid-June. But the Eden Valley Railway (EVR) and the Stainmore Railway Company (SRC), which operate at either end of the route, say neither organisation was consulted by Highways England (HE).They claim HE was "clearly aware" of the possible future use of the bridge, pointing out that proposals to reopen the line throughout have been part of Eden District Council's Upper Eden Community Plan since 2008.In the joint letter to HE's acting chief executive Nick Harris, SRC project manager Mike Thompson and EVR civil engineering director John Sreeves requested that the organisation removes the infill from the bridge and repairs any damage it has caused, or grants the companies funds to cover infill removal work and repairs in the future.