Restoration of the Wonston Road Railway Bridge

Aim: To restore the bridge, renovate the surroundings and raise awareness of its historical and ecological importance

The Watercress Way charity was formed in 2016 to campaign for public awareness and use of these old tracks. A small team of trustees and local volunteers maintain access and run projects to improve awareness of and access to the route. The railway bridge at Wonston Road in Sutton Scotney is a potential future section of the route. Currently, the charity has permission to maintain the area immediately in front and behind the bridge. The aim of this project is to fit new fencing to the front of the bridge and prepare it for future, permanent access as part of the Watercress Way route.

Our aims for the project are to:

• Install discrete, modern fencing across the front to improve local safety
• Complete additional groundworks under the bridge to improve access ahead of future incorporation into the full route
• Install new signage to raise awareness of the ecology and heritage of the site
• Prepare plans to understand and preserve the ecological context of the site

The Watercress Way is a charity dedicated to restoring, maintaining and ensuring access to a 27 mile waymarked circular route for walkers, using sections of two old railways, existing rights of way between Alresford, Kings Worthy and Sutton Scotney, NE of Winchester.  Some sections are accessible for cyclists and horse riders and wheelchair users. 

The old Watercress Line and the  Didcot-Newbury-Southampton Railway were closed in 1963 and 1973  respectively, but sections are gradually becoming accessible. This trail is unusual since it links these old railways with historic livestock droves, passing through beautiful  rolling chalk Hampshire downland and along the sparkling world renowned  Rivers Itchen, Arle and Dever.