Historic viaduct 'under threat' - but council says not yet

This appears to be the stance of BCP Council on the unused Branksome East Viaduct, after a group claimed the authority would knock it down before 2035. 

Graeme Bickerdike, a member of The HRE Group – engineers, heritage campaigners and active travel advocates – said it is “disappointing” to learn “another piece of our great railway heritage is under threat”.

He said: "Branksome East Viaduct is an imposing addition to the local landscape. Its attractive detailing is indicative of the care and attention bestowed on it during construction in the 1880s.

The viaduct runs above Gordon Road and Surrey Road (Image: Daily Echo)

“We understand it is valued by many within the community and is the focus of a revival plan as part of a nature and heritage park. 

"We've asked the local council for condition reports and other documentation to better understand the challenges presented by the viaduct.”

Andy Hadley, cabinet member for the environment at BCP Council, said there has been “no decision made yet” on the future of the viaduct. 

BCP Council's draft Infrastructure Delivery Plan notes the £2m cost and funding gap to demolish the viaduct before 2035, describing it as "life expired".

He added this was despite the “high maintenance costs incurred by the council to ensure public safety”. BCP Council has been asked how much it spends.

Mr Bickerdike said he recognises structures such as Branksome East Viaduct will cost money to maintain and that councils have to make difficult choices. 

“But they are also historical assets and many have the potential to deliver social benefits through repurposing,” he said. 

Vegetation is now growing on the viaduct (Image: Daily Echo)

The second viaduct is still in use (Image: Daily Echo)

“We are keen to ensure that a thorough assessment of all the prevailing issues has been carried out in support of the council's decision-making.  

“£2m is a lot of public money to spend destroying an existing piece of infrastructure; such a sum would buy a huge amount of routine maintenance. 

"The viaduct should not be regarded as a liability by default." 

Cllr Hadley said: “The former railway viaduct in Bourne Valley forms part of BCP Council’s draft delivery infrastructure plan, 2024 to 2039, but no decision has yet been made regarding demolition or any other use of this structure, for example a return to railway use. 

“Although we understand the concern of local heritage groups, it is unlikely that any business case to demolish will be made in the near future.”  

The Victorian brick-built railway viaducts in Bourne Valley still stand proud today. 

They were constructed after Bournemouth East railway station, which was opened in 1870, followed four years later by Bournemouth West station. 

To connect the two the ten arched viaducts were constructed by London & South Western railway in 1888. 

In 1893 another viaduct was constructed on the west side which is still operational today while the original east viaduct was closed in November 1965. 

The viaduct is built from locally fired bricks and four of its piers feature pilasters with plinths and capstones; there is a masonry string course and triangular insets within the spandrels. 

Roadways run beneath the third and eighth arches which have king piers either side of them.