Historical Railways Estate - National Highways

The Historical Railways Estate (HRE) is a collection of over 3,100 structures and assets which were once part of Britain's rail network.

Since 2013 we've been responsible for looking after it on behalf of the Department for Transport. Many of the structures were built more than 100 years ago.

Find out more about who we are, what we do and why in our video with Head of Programme Helene Rossiter and Director of Transformation and Performance Rich Marshall.

10 years of caring for the HRE

As we mark a decade of managing the Estate, a look back at some memorable moments.

10 years of caring for the HRE

Latest updates

Monthly makeover

Lustleigh Bridge

Opening in 1866 on the former Newton Abbot – Moretonhampstead line in Devon, today it’s in our care and maintained with seven others

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In the headlines

Stump Cross Bridge

Plans are underway to repurpose this bridge for the creation of a new active travel route

Spotlight on ...

Wheatley Viaduct

Contractors working on the viaduct joined Halifax volunteers to clear litter in the area recently

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About the HRE

Find out more about the history, composition and locations of the HRE.

Maintenance and assessment

Our team of engineers uses well-established methods to maintain the HRE.

Working with stakeholders

We work closely with local authorities, charities and other organisations.

Programme of work and assessment reports

View our forward programme of maintenance work and our assessment reports.

Decision making and handover process

How we work with partners to find new uses for the structures and bring them back into public use.

Our approach to infill

On occasions we may need to infill a structure for safety reasons.

Biodiversity

The HRE is a haven for many species of native wildlife.

Project profiles

See the breadth of work happening across the nation’s former railway structures right now.