A project to fill in a bridge over a closed railway line in north east England will be retrospectively examined by North Yorkshire Council planners.
Between March 2021 and April 2022 National Highways, England’s roads authority, filled in the bridge, which carries the single-track Rudgate Road over the disused Church Fenton to Harrogate railway line. National Highways describes it as ‘…a single-span brick arch, faced with masonry arch rings and supported on masonry abutments. The wing walls, spandrel walls and parapets are of ashlar masonry construction.’
It was partially infilled by the time of a 1997 council inspection. National Highways’ £133,353 infill was a response to a 2018 capacity assessment, which showed that overweight vehicles could cause the bridge to collapse.
Following high-profile campaigns against bridge infill in West Norfolk (link opens in new tab) and Cumbria (link opens in new tab), National Highways has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire planners for the work on Rudgate Road. It is awaiting a decision.
