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Methley's historic Harrison Bridge is bricked up
Villagers have been stopped dead in their tracks by rail bosses who have bricked up an historic bridge in Methley.
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Residents were furious to find a footpath under Harrison's Bridge, Methley, had been filled in with ugly looking breeze blocks.
It is thought the bridge could be named after renowned 19th century architect and civil engineer Thomas Elliot Harrison.
Network Rail carried out the work without planning permission from Leeds City Council, claiming the bridge was structurally unsafe.
But Methley residents, backed by local councillors, have now launched a campaign to get the breeze blocks moved and the bridge re-opened.
They also plan to apply to English Heritage to get listed status for the bridge and ensure sure the path is officially recognised as a right of way.
Protester Terry Waite told the YEP: "It is not something that should happen to an historic bridge in a conservation area.
"All the coping stones have been removed and the ornate pillars have gone for no reason.
"In my opinion, Harrison's Bridge was not unsafe. It was condemned as being so 20 years ago, yet it still stands today. I believe that Network Rail have blocked the bridge to save on maintenance inspection costs."
Activists in Methley have also lodged a complaint that previous council correspondence claiming a Public Right of Way has been disregarded.
Design
Mr Waite has uncovered a letter dating back to 1970 from the local authority to British Rail informing them that the path is a public right of way.
A theory behind the bridge's name is that it was built by Thomas Harrison.
Harrison was a major influence in the design of the Forth Railway Bridge and during his lifetime had worked closely with railway pioneer George Stephenson.
Coun Keith Wakefield (Lab, Kippax & Methley) said: "Local residents are angry that Network Rail did not consider the historical nature of the bridge, or the fact that the archway has been used as a footpath.
"They have not been a good neighbour to Methley in this case. I hope they listen to the views of local people in the future when work is planned."
Fellow Labour councillor James Lewis, said: "The completed work drastically alters the appearance of the bridge itself and the surrounding conservation area at the historic heart of Methley.
"People are quite rightly upset at the speed and insensitivity of this project."
Leeds City Council is seeking a retrospective planning application from Network Rail for the work, which falls within the Methley Churchside Conservation area.
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said structural work was required urgently and the work was agreed after contacting local landowners.
She added: "We are in close consultation with Leeds City Council.
"The breeze blocks will be painted to make them look less obvious and there will be significant embankment stabilisation work carried out.
"The right of way issue still remains unclear."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
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Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
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