AN HISTORIC bridge that once carried the 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway is on track to be restored in time for the 200th anniversary of the first journey.

A report from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register has revealed that good progress has been made on Brusselton Incline thanks to a local volunteer group.

Members of the Brusselton Incline Group have been working to manage and repair the site for several years and the volunteers have now cleared the scheduled monument of vegetation and are working with Durham County Council to repair the Grade II listed stone bridge abutment.

The Brusselton Incline Group is made up of residents and train fans and their aim is to save, preserve and promote the route of the 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway from Brusselton to West Auckland.

They are also restoring the listed ancient monuments and structures and promoting the historical and educational importance of the route to the area.

The report said: “The rescue of this section of the innovative Stockton and Darlington railway remains a long-term project but good progress has been made this year.

“Much remains to be done as vandalism and neglect continue to take their toll on this important piece of our industrial heritage.”

Kate Wilson, Heritage at Risk principal for Historic England in the North-East, said: “Once again we have made significant progress in removing some of our most precious historic buildings and places from the Heritage at Risk Register this year.

“Action taken by local community and volunteer groups is increasingly important in helping to save many of our most cherished monuments, but there is more to do.

“We need to find new ways to breathe life into our neglected historic places. Investment in our heritage is an investment in the future of the North-East.”

A total of 18 sites have been added to the register within the North-East whilst another 18 have been removed.

Several sections of Hadrian’s Wall are included - suffering various detrimental effects ranging from gorse and scrub growth and erosion caused by visitors and stock.

Meanwhile, Chester-le-Street and Middleton-in-Teesdale conservation areas have been removed from the register.

The report found the condition of the two areas in County Durham had improved significantly, and they are no longer at risk.

He added: “Whilst some shopfronts and signage in the Chester-le-Street conservation area still need work, Historic England welcomes that the community has been active with reviving Riverside Park and its play areas and the number of vacant buildings has fallen.

“Similarly, in the Middleton-in-Teesdale conservation area historic building repair schemes are underway and, with several local traders behind good shopfronts, the place feels busy.”

The Loftus conservation area in east Cleveland is included for the first time due to the slow deterioration of its historical features.

To search the Heritage at Risk Register 2016, visit historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/