THE plans to infill a bridge near Winchester are still on hold, despite National Highways clearing vegetation from under it.

The bridge, located on Stoke Road near Itchen Abbas, had been planned to be infilled, but the work has been temporarily postponed.

The infilling of bridges is part of a national plan to fill foamed concrete under old bridges which National Highways has said is reversible.

READ MORE: South Downs National Park Authority criticises infill proposal of bridge over disused railway line

Recently, the vegetation, which was under the bridge on Stoke Road, was removed by the roads body which raised concerns locally that the infill plan had resumed.

If the infill work was carried out, it would block a planned expansion of an existing walking and cycling route, The Watercress Way, which links Alresford, Kings Worthy, South Wonston and Sutton Scotney.

National Highways head of Historical Railways Estate (HRE) programme Hélène Rossiter said: “Any infill plans at Stoke Road Bridge, in Hampshire, have been halted as part of our national pause on infilling and demolition activity across the HRE.

“This has been put in place to give local authorities and interest groups more time to fully consider structures as part of their local active travel plans or for heritage railways.

“We have no plans to proceed with infilling at this time and are working directly with the South Downs National Park Authority, as planning authority, to understand how this structure fits in to their Local Plan and other potential walking routes that may be being considered.

“In October we undertook vegetation clearance work to enable safe access for inspections as well as to ensure vegetation overgrowth is not adversely affecting the structure. We are also undertaking a renewed capacity assessment. This is important information that will help in any future maintenance work that may be required to the bridge.”

SEE MORE: National Highways bridge infill proposal contested by Watercress Way

Jackie Porter, chairman of The Watercress Way charity, said: “I’m pleased that National Highways say the vegetation cut back is only for investigation, but it still signals work planned that just isn’t necessary.

“Instead of spending money on this programme, we’d like the Historical Railways Estates team to engage with us rather than trying to destroy the potential of this and every other bridge in the country.”

“Throwing down concrete as they have in Cumbria is an environmental and societal disaster. Even at present these lines are valuable corridors for small mammals including dormice and badgers.

“The old railways closed by Beeching often linked communities better than roads and The Watercress Way is certainly proving that on other parts of the route. Cyclists and walkers enjoy the ecology, heritage and exercise.

“Across the country the potential of these lines is being explored again.”

The HRE Group is an alliance of engineers, sustainable transport advocates and greenway developers.

Graeme Bickerdike, a member of the group, said: “This work formed part of a determined ongoing effort by National Highways to burn a budget that is currently underspent because of the pause to its infilling and demolition programme. Taking just four days, it could easily have been completed - more efficiently - immediately before any future maintenance scheme.

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“Stoke Road bridge is a valuable asset, earmarked for reuse within the Watercress Way. It’s time National Highways accepted the view already expressed by multiple stakeholders and lifted the threat of infilling once and for all, rather than causing more worry within the community that infilling is imminent.”

A spokesperson for the South Downs National Park Authority said: “The former New Alresford to Winchester Line is part of our walking and cycling strategy and protected in our Local Plan.

“The authority had a useful meeting with National Highways on the site of the Stoke Road bridge and continues to be committed to keeping this route as a potential active travel corridor.

“We will continue to work with National Highways to find a solution that can protect the route."

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