RESIDENTS and councillors are celebrating after their campaign about a bridge reconstruction prevailed.

Network Rail has announced that it will not heighten the bridge in Down Farm Lane, in Headbourne Worthy, after locals raised concerns about lorries using the road to travel to nearby 2,000-home Barton Farm development.

The company has also said it will maintain the brick structure, although it states this is ‘not usual practice’.

Cllr Jane Rutter, who sits on Headbourne Worthy parish and Winchester city councils, said that the village is “delighted” with the outcome.

“This is a great victory for local people who turned out in large numbers both to support their local parish and county councillors at the bridge for an unprecedented demonstration of local feeling, and at the Network Rail drop-in session,” she said.

“I think Network Rail were amazed at the strength of feeling that our little Victorian railway bridge evoked – and to give them their due they have responded magnificently.

“Not only is the height to be kept at 10ft, but the distinctive arched shape of the original structure will be maintained as well. We will be keeping our ‘gateway’ to Headbourne Worthy after all.”

The announcement comes just weeks after residents and councillors campaigned to halt plans to make the bridge nearly 30cm higher and replace the brick structure.

It was circulated on Monday (March 9) and read: “Network Rail wants to be a good neighbour when under taking works that impact on the local communities bordered by the railway.

“From the options available and the time constraints until the possession of the railway taking place early May Bank Holiday, it is proposed that the elevation portals of the structure be constructed with arch details similar to the existing structure.

“It is important to note that this would normally not be an option considered by Network Rail due to lack of improvement to the bridge for passage of vehicles under it."

It continued: “We must reiterate and hope that it is understood that retaining a restricted clearance of 10ft we will have missed a one in 120 year opportunity to reduce the liability of a restricted headroom structure and the fact that we would normally look to always improve safety, reduce cost and maintenance.

“However, we are pleased to inform you that on this occasion we would we propose to amend the portal design to maintain existing restricted headroom. However, we must emphasise that this is not normal practise.”

Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, said: “I’ve had a huge response from constituents in the village about this and they were dead right to be concerned.

“In recent weeks since the Network Rail event I’ve spoken with the landowner Simon Browne, senior figures at the county and the rail minister who was clear we can replace the bridge and bring it back into safe use without exposing the area to heavy through traffic.

“Network Rail have responded well and deserve credit for listening to us.”

Documents shown at a recent consultation with residents said the works will start on March 30 and are expected to take 11 weeks while the track and signalling is removed, the bridge demolished, reconstructed and reinstated.

The road will be closed weekdays from March 30 to April 17, excluding bank holidays, the weekend of April 18-20, and fully from May 1-31, between points 200m north-west of its junction with Wellhouse Lane and 800m north-west of that junction.