Campaigners in east Hertfordshire have rallied against National Highways’ proposal to infill a historic railway bridge north of Braughing with lightweight foamed concrete, saying the plan risks permanently removing a visible link to the county’s railway past.
What is proposed
The bridge carries Station Road (B1368) across what was until the mid-20th century a branch railway line. National Highways, which manages the structure through its Historical Railways Estates (HRE) portfolio, proposes filling the void beneath the bridge deck with hundreds of tonnes of foamed concrete. Engineers say the measure would eliminate the bridge's need to bear traffic loads and so address its current structural problems.
Why people are protesting
Within a week more than 700 people had signed an online petition opposing the scheme. Campaigners argue that less intrusive repair options have not been fully explored and that infill would amount to the permanent loss of an important piece of local character.
“An act of 'vandalism' that would permanently destroy an important part of the county's railway history,”
reads one of the criticisms levelled at the plans by those backing the petition.
History and context
Braughing’s station opened in 1863 on the Buntingford to St Margaret's branch line and closed to passengers in 1964 during the Beeching cuts. The original timber bridge was replaced in 1920, and the surviving structure now helps frame public views of the restored station site, where platforms and several original buildings remain.
Safety concerns and traffic impact
National Highways officials say the bridge has suffered extended corrosion; the supporting beam on the south side has sustained extensive damage and the structure has been assessed as having a carrying capacity of zero tonnes. As an immediate consequence, Station Road is managed as a single-lane route controlled by temporary traffic signals.
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Carrying capacity assessed at zero tonnes |
| Traffic management | Single-lane operation with temporary signals |
| Proposed remedy | Vertical infill with foamed concrete |
Local reaction and next steps
Those campaigning to save the bridge say the plan should be paused while alternative repairs are considered and local views taken into account. They stress the bridge’s role in the historic ensemble of Braughing station and in the character of the surrounding area. National Highways maintains that the infill is the safest and most practical long-term solution given the assessed condition.
- More than 700 signatures recorded in the petition's first week
- Bridge dates to a replacement structure built about 1920; station originally opened 1863
- Station closed to passengers in 1964 during widespread rail cutbacks
The dispute highlights a familiar tension across Hertfordshire and beyond: how to reconcile road safety and maintenance needs with the preservation of historic structures that contribute to local identity. Campaigners and National Highways appear set on a collision course unless a solution acceptable to both heritage supporters and engineers can be found.
