The Sorry Saga of Great Musgrave Bridge

Graeme Bickerdike, Railway Historian, Writer and Campaigner

Lancaster, Barrow and Carlisle Section in-person meeting

The retrenchment of the British railway network in the 1950s and 1960s left a lasting physical legacy in the form of thousands of disused structures scattered across Britain’s landscape. Most have heritage value as a reminder of our pioneering past, some have been reclaimed by nature as part of wildlife corridors and many have the potential to be incorporated into future sustainable transport routes. But do asset management regimes in Britain recognise this potential?
The controversial burial of a handsome masonry arch bridge in Cumbria – without any engineering justification or engagement with community stakeholders – heaped reputational damage on its custodian, National Highways, and prompted the Government to intervene and stop the company’s infilling and demolition programme as engineers, politicians and active travel campaigners expressed their dismay at its negative social impacts.
Graeme Bickerdike examines how National Highways got it so wrong and looks at what has changed to ensure there will be no recurrence.

This is the Christmas social meeting, which includes a buffet served from 16:00 onwards. It represents a particular opportunity in the section calendar for recently joined members to meet others in a social setting.

Meeting in person from 16:00 for a 16:30 start.

Empire Services Club
Hartington Road
Preston
PR1 8PP

Directions: The club is located by leaving Preston station via the main access road and turning left to walk down Fishergate as far as the second traffic signals junction (Hartington Road) on the right. The premises are located adjacent to the junction (total distance from station 0.4 miles). Limited on-street parking is available on Hartington Road opposite the club.

If you are a PWI member please book your space if would like this event to be automatically recorded in your CPD portfolio.

BOOK YOUR SPACE HERE