Decision on whether Congham Bridge should remain submerged in concrete will go before West Norfolk Council planning committee

A decision on whether a historic bridge submerged in concrete should be salvaged could be made within months.

Congham Bridge was filled in back in early 2021 after National Highways deemed it necessary due to the deteriorating nature of the structure.

Highways made contact with West Norfolk Council at the time and received no objection to the work. However, a borough council spokesperson says this was only supposed to temporarily support the bridge for one year.

The concrete has been left in place, however, leading to more than 350 objections to the project – with a historical interest group alerting the council.

Now, as the permitted development rights have ended, a retrospective planning application is required to decide whether or not the filling-in should be reversed. This has been submitted and is likely to go before the planning committee in September or October.

Similar situations have arisen across the country, but not all councils have taken the same approach – with some taking no action.

The Historic Railways Estate Group (HRE), a campaign organisation, criticised the decision by National Highways to infill the road bridge earlier this year.

The bridge, which carries the quiet St Andrew’s Lane, passes over a band of land which was once occupied by the track of the Lynn-Fakenham railway.

Graeme Bickerdike, a HRE member, argued that the bridge was only suffering from “cracks and other minor defects” and that the infilling was not necessary.

However, a planning statement from architects Jacobs UK Ltd says: “The infill here was driven both by the capacity failure and the condition of the structure.

“The abutment fracturing resulted from ongoing movement, either associated with ground conditions beneath the wing walls or the seeming lack of movement bearings at the beam supports.”

It adds that records suggest the bridge has had issues with fractures since 1984 – and that major repairs conducted between December 2009 and February 2010 required a road closure.

Since the HRE took responsibility for the bridge in 2013, it has been subject to a series of structural assessments.

One objection to having submerged the bridge in concrete, from a Mr Baxter, says: “Unless the council require reversal of the in-filling, the bridge has been "put beyond use", effectively blocking any future routes for active travel.

“Since our industrial and rail assets are one of our few ‘world-leading’ draws for international visits, National Highways is repeatedly acting against the national interest as it continues its mindless activities.”

The Save Britain’s Heritage group has also objected to the plans.