Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect Highways England's policy to infill bridges which spanned railway lines using permitted development powers on the Government's policy to (a) increase walking and cycle routes and (b) reinstate disused railway lines.

Highways England manages the Historical Railways Estate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport and has been in touch with all the local authorities affected, to advise them of its plans, and to see if they have any use for the structures. Highways England are pausing works where local authorities have raised queries about the works, and where there is credible interest for possible re-purposing and transfer of ownership of the assets. The Department has also asked Highways England to consult with the relevant local authorities concerning the retention, where practicable, of access for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, Highways England has arranged for seven structures to be transferred to local authorities which wish to use them for cycle routes.

Permitted Development Orders exist in order to prevent an emergency from occurring and Highways England would only use these powers for that purpose. Where the need for emergency works has been identified, letters are sent to the relevant planning authorities to check if there are any requirements or restrictions. Highways England uses permitted development rights (where appropriate) to undertake some of the infilling and demolition schemes where issues of overriding public safety are in play. Most of the works completed to date have been granted full planning permission

The Department and Highways England are working together to ensure opportunities for the reinstatement of disused railway lines are identified and considered wherever possible.