Urgency to save Bourne’s Bridge 234 as developer plans demolition
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to prevent the demolition of Bourne’s Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Bridge 234 have launched a petition and appealed for supporters to write to the local council to object.
Bellway Homes has now lodged an application for planning permission to build 373 new homes at Elsea Park on land to the south of the Lincolnshire market town, once a four-way railway junction.
The Bourne History Group wants to save the distinctive three-arch overbridge (which is privately owned and not part of the Historical Railways Estate portfolio) as a monument to the town’s lost railway heritage.
However, a letter from the developer to the history group said: “Unfortunately, due to the bridge being structurally unsafe, it is not Bellway’s intention to retain it. However, we are keen to celebrate its heritage in a feature of the public open space we are proposing for the bridge area.”
The group was sent Bellway’s working plan for the development of the site, which includes children’s play equipment, a paved piazza, marking the exact location of the bridge prior to demolition, with the large cut limestone blocks to be retained in the corners of the new piazza, and information boards to explain the history of the bridge.
A statement from the group said: “Since the 1960s, Bourne has lost much of its railway heritage.
“Bridge 234 is perfectly located between the community of Bourne and that of Elsea Park. The bridge can stand as a monument to represent our lost railway heritage.
“The immediate area surrounding the bridge can become an area where locals and visitors alike can feel welcome and comfortable viewing this last public remnant of our golden railway age. This is our last chance to save a piece of Bourne’s history.”
As we closed for press, the petition at you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/preserve-our-heritage-bridge-234 had more than 700 signatures.
Objectors to the demolition of the bridge are also asked to contact South Kesteven District Council’s planning department at www. southkesteven.gov.uk quoting reference s21/0113.