Plans to demolish two historic Teesside railway bridges have been thrown into doubt after the related planning application was withdrawn.
Stockton Borough Council applied to the local planning authority for a decision on whether prior approval was needed to demolish Crawford's Bridge and Black Squares Bridge, two Victorian railway structures on the Castle Eden Walkway near Thorpe Thewles.
Crawford's Bridge damage (Image: The HRE Group)
But objectors were told on September 30 that the applicant or agent had "formally withdrawn" the application.
In August, Stockton Council, which owns the structures, said both bridges were at risk of "partial or complete collapse" and that repairs would effectively require a full rebuild at a cost of more than £250,000.
Campaigners have since disputed that assessment, arguing that practical repairs could be carried out for less than the £41,000 earmarked for demolition.
The two brick bridges were originally built by the North Eastern Railway as part of a 13-mile route through County Durham.
Opened in 1878, the line mainly carried mineral traffic to Teesside's growing industrial centres before closing between 1966 and 1968.
The former track bed was bought by Cleveland County Council in 1977 before being transformed into the Castle Eden Walkway.
Black Squares Bridge (Image: The HRE Group)
The council’s application sought confirmation that the bridges could be demolished under permitted development rights.
But heritage campaign group The HRE Group argued that permitted development rights do not apply if a structure became unsafe through poor maintenance but can still be repaired.
In a letter to planners, the group challenged the council's approach and called for a full assessment of options.
Graeme Bickerdike, a member of The HRE Group, said: "As heritage assets, it's important that any decision about the future of these bridges is made on the basis of reliable evidence, considers all viable options and their respective costs, and recognises the broader social value of the structures.
"We've yet to see any evidence demonstrating that demolition is the most appropriate outcome for local taxpayers."
Black Squares Bridge (Image: The HRE Group)
The HRE group also claims Stockton Council has refused to release a consultant's report that fuelled the decision to demolish the bridges.
Two general inspection reports from November 2024 have been released, putting the combined demolition cost at £284,000.
But members learned about another document containing the consultant report at a site meeting with council officers on September 15, and later requested to see the documents.
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HRE says the council withheld most of the information on the grounds of commercial confidentiality, but argues the public interest in releasing the documents has not been properly considered.
The group has applied to Historic England to have the bridges listed and called on the council during the active application to publish evidence proving that the bridges did not contain bat roosts.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has not responded to requests for an update on the demolition plans.