A unique programme of schemes in the South West is helping to keep the nation's Historical Railways Estate (HRE) safe and in good order for generations to come.

National Highways has just published its Annual Report here which shows that a total of 265 HRE renovations, maintenance and repair works were completed in England, Scotland and Wales during the last financial year, with 85 schemes completed in the South West.

HRE Engineer Matt Irwin said, "We're proud of our work and everything we've achieved in the South West, as well as throughout the nation.

"Whether it's sourcing rare yellow bricks for a heritage bridge near Exeter, acting as guardians to a colony of bats in a disused Somerset tunnel or giving heritage bridges on Dartmoor a facelift our contractors have risen to the challenge.

Over 80 projects delivered to help maintain South West railway history

Pensford Viaduct near Bristol where a three month renovation programme will be completed this year.

A unique programme of schemes in the South West is helping to keep the nation's Historical Railways Estate (HRE) safe and in good order for generations to come.

National Highways has just published its Annual Report here which shows that a total of 265 HRE renovations, maintenance and repair works were completed in England, Scotland and Wales during the last financial year, with 85 schemes completed in the South West.

HRE Engineer Matt Irwin said, "We're proud of our work and everything we've achieved in the South West, as well as throughout the nation.

"Whether it's sourcing rare yellow bricks for a heritage bridge near Exeter, acting as guardians to a colony of bats in a disused Somerset tunnel or giving heritage bridges on Dartmoor a facelift our contractors have risen to the challenge.

Pictures of before and after work at a Somerset Tunnel where lesser and greater horseshoe bats were found.

"We've also worked with a wide variety of organisations including local authorities and active travel charities like Sustrans and Railway Paths Ltd to help them repurpose structures for walking and cycle routes. Recently we were delighted to work with a number of partners on plans for the 10-mile Strawberry Line active travel route in Somerset where a new section at Shepton Mallet has just opened."

The Historical Railways Estate (HRE) is a collection of over 3,100 structures and assets, many built over 100 years ago, which were once part of Britain's rail network. This September National Highways will celebrate looking after the HRE on behalf of the Department for Transport for 10 years.

Included in the HRE is:

• 1906 overbridges and underbridges.
• 152 tunnels
• 101 Viaducts and aqueducts
• 221 earthworks such as embankments and weirs
• 125 pockets of land, former roads and memorials

In the South West there are 395 structures that fall under the estate's responsibility.

In the Spring of 2022 we carried out repairs to the door of a Somerset tunnel where a roost of lesser and greater horseshoe bats was discovered. Following an ecology survey 25 were found to be hibernating in the tunnel. As the bats are protected their exact location cannot be publicised and the previous door, that was in bad condition, has been repaired to stop the roost being disturbed. The work, which also included removing moss, repointing, removing trees that were damaging the headwall and installing fall protection, was planned outside of the hibernation season to keep the bats safe.

Bats roosting in HRE tunnel.

In the summer of 2022 a Victorian road bridge near Exeter was given a major facelift after HRE contractors Hammond tracked down the unusual yellow bricks it was built with.

 Christow Station railway bridge near Exeter, constructed around 1882, might look very ordinary to the untrained eye but its unusual yellow glazed bricks feature on only a handful of structures in the Historical Railways Estate (HRE) and the seven-week programme of renovations could not begin until a supply of them was found.

Around 1400 of Victorian yellow bricks were supplied by specialist brick manufacturers Furness Brick and Tile Company Ltd and needed to go through a process to make them look weathered to ensure they match the original bricks. Other work on the structure involved re-pointing repairs via scaffolding throughout the structure.

Three more heritage bridges in Devon were also given makeovers. Wortha Mill Bridge and Merryfield Farm Bridge on Dartmoor and Broadpark Road Bridge at Brentor have all received essential attention to ensure they retain their distinct character while remaining safe.

Before and after photos of repairs and vegetation clearance at Merryfield Farm Bridge, Dartmoor, Devon.

Work included masonry repairs, repointing brickwork, removing vegetation and roots that can damage the bridges and the installation of fencing.

Wortha Mill Bridge on Dartmoor before and during maintenance works and vegetation clearance.

Ecology surveys were also undertaken and as a result enhancements such as bat and bird boxes will be installed at the sites after the work was completed.

Work that has already started this year includes a three-month renovation programme on Pensford Viaduct near Bristol, where £160,000 is being invested to fully repoint 332 yards of the 150-year-old structure's parapets. Contractors will be using lime-based mortar, which is in keeping with the structures Grade II listed status and working from a specially designed scaffolding rig, which will move on a track from one side to the other. This will mean the team can work safely at the viaduct's maximum height of 95 feet.

We will also be refurbishing the parapets on the narrow - former single track - listed Chelfham Viaduct. Eventually there are plans for the viaduct in north Devon to be handed over to Lynton & Barnstaple railway.

Stand out major projects undertaken nationally include work on the iconic 21-arch Crigglestone Viaduct just outside of Wakefield in West Yorkshire which needed a three month programme of repairs and renovations. On the Scottish Borders a 'lost' iconic bridge found a new guardian with the HRE as well as the promise of a £356,000 facelift after a SOS call went out from Scottish Borders Council. And in Glasgow a cutting edge cosmic ray survey of Balgray Tunnel was undertaken.

Helene Rossier added: "These structures are important reminders of our industrial history, with some dating back as far as the 17th century, and we are dedicated to preserving them for generations to come."

The vast majority of our work involves repairs, strengthening and restoration:

• General repair and refurbishment, such as repointing brickwork.
• Repairing structures that have been vandalised or hit by vehicles. In the past year we've repaired damage from vandalism at 24 sites and erected five fences to deter antisocial behaviour.
• Strengthening structures - mainly bridges, which may include replacing the bridge or strengthening beams.
• Removing vegetation that can cause damage to the structures.

Maintenance and repair work is carried out by six contractors: Hammond ECS, Amco Giffen, Balfour Beatty Construction, Beaver Bridges, Bethell and Dyer & Butler.

For more information on National Highways' work with the country's Historical Railways Estate, click here.