A UNIQUE 170-year-old bridge is among a collection of iconic north Essex landmarks at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect and decay.

Historic England has revealed the latest list of buildings to be added to the organisation’s Heritage at Risk Register 2019.

The list provides an annual snapshot of the critical health of some of the country’s most valued historical places and shows those which are most at risk of being lost.

Among the well-known structures across East Anglia which have been added to the list this year is the last surviving timber trestle railway bridge in England, at Wickham Bishops, near Witham.

Wickham Bishops Timber Trestle Railway Viaduct was part of the Braintree to Maldon branch line built to carry freight inland from the port.

It is made up of two adjoining viaducts crossing the River Blackwater and Wickham Mill leat.

The line was operational between 1848 and 1966, although it closed to passenger traffic in 1964.

There were extensive repairs to the viaduct in the 1990s but many timbers are suffering from rot and decay caused by damp, lack of maintenance and heavy tree growth.

The condition of the scheduled monument is described as “very bad”.

Historic England’s Tony Calladine, said: “The message is clear – our heritage needs to be saved and investing in heritage pays.

“It helps to transform the places where we live, work and visit, creating successful and distinctive places for us and for future generations to enjoy.

“But there’s more work to do.”

“There are buildings still on the Heritage at Risk Register which are ideal for rescue and capable of being brought back into meaningful use and generating an income, contributing to the community and economy.”

“These are the homes, shops, offices and cultural venues of the future.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council, which owns the bridge, said: “Essex County Council officers are currently undertaking specialist surveys of the site in order to determine the works required at Wickham Bishops Trestle Bridge.

“Following this, we will be engaging with Historic England to determine what action should be taken and how it will be funded.”