Monumental Status for Langstone Bridge
- Fri 3rd May 2002
Below is a copy of the letter sent by Paul Fisher, Chairman of HIRA to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport regarding having the bridge listed...
Whilst the bridge itself is by no means ancient, the current structure having been completed in 1956, a crossing from Hayling Island to the mainland certainly is.
I enclose a number of items to support the application, according to the requirements suggested in conversations with your office i.e. photographs and map references, together with some relevant recent press coverage regarding the way in which Hampshire County Council is proposing to alter the structure. We feel that these actions will materially affect the appearance and amenity of this unique structure, in a way that will do damage to an area designated as one of outstanding natural beauty. We have the overwhelming popular support of Hayling Islanders in rejecting their proposals.
Hampshire County Council has little or no knowledge or experience of such projects, since there is no similar bridge in the county and is proposing to apply the same kind of standards in terms of functional bridge railings design that it used for motorway or other small bridges found elsewhere in Hampshire. Our feeling is that HCC, centred in Winchester, show little concern for the environment in the remote south-east corner of the county, as witnessed in their public dismissal of our pleas for the retention of the special visual appeal of our bridge.
It is pertinent to point out that the picture of the Royal Oak and Langstone Mill, clearly shown in some of the enclosed photographs, is appearing on the front page of 180,000 promotional magazines for the British Tourist Authority for distribution throughout the world this year. If HCC have their way, the view of this landmark from this particular location will be damaged forever. We believe that, if the railings need to be replaced, the design should be created by an architect and not decided by an engineer, from a choice of two very basic options.
We suggest that the structure be listed in order that more thought can be put into the impact that change would have upon the environment of this unique waterway.
With kind regards
Yours sincerely
Paul Fisher
Chairman, Hayling Island Residents’ Association
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Photo courtesy of Peter Rocchiccioli.
By forum user, Mat
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