Historic Hertfordshire Bridge Faces Concrete Future as Campaigners Accuse National Highways of 'Erasing History'

A growing campaign is urging National Highways to abandon plans to infill a century-old railway bridge with foamed concrete, arguing that repair options have not been properly explored and warning that a unique piece of Hertfordshire's railway heritage could be lost forever.

A campaign to save a historic railway bridge in Hertfordshire is gathering momentum after hundreds of people backed calls for National Highways to rethink plans to fill the structure with foamed concrete.

More than 700 people have signed a petition in its first week, with campaigners describing the proposed scheme as an act of "vandalism" that would permanently destroy an important part of the county's railway history.

The bridge, which carries Station Road (B1368) north of the former Braughing Station, is owned by National Highways through its Historical Railways Estates (HRE) portfolio.

A Bridge with More Than a Century of History

Braughing Station first opened in 1863 on the former Buntingford to St Margaret's branch line, before closing to passengers during the Beeching era in 1964.

Although the original timber bridge was replaced in 1920, the existing structure has become an important surviving feature of what campaigners describe as one of Hertfordshire's most complete former railway stations, where platforms and many original buildings still remain.

The bridge also frames a key public view of the restored station site, contributing to the area's historic character.

Safety Concerns Prompt Radical Proposal

National Highways says the bridge has deteriorated significantly after years of structural corrosion.

The south-side supporting beam has suffered extensive damage, leaving the bridge with an assessed carrying capacity of zero tonnes. As a result, Station Road currently operates under single-lane traffic management controlled by temporary traffic signals.

Engineers have concluded that a vertical infill scheme represents the safest and most practical long-term solution.

The proposal would see the void beneath the bridge deck filled with hundreds of tonnes of lightweight foamed concrete, removing the need for the bridge to carry traffic loads while retaining its external appearance.

According to National Highways, the alternative would likely involve demolishing and completely replacing the bridge, resulting in the loss of its remaining historic fabric.

Campaigners Say Repair Options Have Been Ignored

Those opposing the plans argue that restoring the bridge has never been properly considered.

They claim discussions at a National Highways Stakeholder Advisory Forum suggested insufficient weight had been given to the bridge's heritage significance before the infill solution was identified as the preferred option.

Campaigners are now calling on National Highways to publish the engineering assessments, alternative design options and cost comparisons that informed the decision.

A Family Connection to the Railway

Among those leading the campaign is Ian Ribbons, owner of the restored Braughing Station site.

His grandfather, Horace Ribbons, served as stationmaster from 1942 until passenger services ceased in 1964.

Mr Ribbons believes the bridge has been allowed to deteriorate unnecessarily.

He argues that maintenance has been neglected to the point where demolition by another means has become the easiest option, adding that an important part of the area's railway heritage now risks disappearing.

'A Unique Piece of Hertfordshire's Railway Story'

Supporters say the bridge is far more than an ageing highway structure.

Stephen Ruff, of the Buntingford Railway and Local History Society, describes Braughing as one of the county's most complete surviving railway stations, with the bridge forming an integral part of the historic setting.

He believes infilling the structure would permanently alter the experience of the site, removing one of the defining features that helps visitors imagine the former railway in operation.

National Highways Defends the Proposal

National Highways insists it remains committed to preserving historic infrastructure wherever possible, while maintaining that public safety must remain the overriding priority.

A spokesperson said the organisation has been working with local partners and specialist engineers to identify a solution that removes the current traffic restrictions while retaining as much of the bridge's historic character as practicable.

The scheme is expected to require both Department for Transport approval and planning permission before construction can begin, with work currently anticipated next year.

Should a planning application be submitted, local residents, heritage organisations and campaigners will have the opportunity to formally comment before any final decision is made.

The dispute highlights the increasingly difficult balance facing infrastructure owners across the UK: protecting nationally significant heritage assets while addressing ageing structures that no longer meet modern engineering or safety standards.