IN his comprehensive explanation of the need to close the rail route beyond Chorley until late summer for the pre-planned engineering works, whilst not the main reason for the closure, Cllr Chadwick does, happily, acknowledge it includes the reinstatement of the splendid Chorley “flying arches”.

This structure has been a part of our railway heritage in the region since the earliest times.

An outstanding example of masonry work, the “flying arches”, by resident engineer Alexander Adie (1842-43), support the sides of the deep cutting and reduce its width at the top.

Adie put up the cutting retaining walls, but feared the clay would expand and force the walls inwards, so he designed the 16 arches across the top of the walls.

Each English Heritage listed arch has a span of 25ft 3in, being 15 ft high at the centre and made up of a single course of stones only 12 inches thick, with stone flags laid on top to prevent weathering.

The side cutting walls were laid on engine cinders, which Adie found was better than concrete in wet places.

The narrative of our modern age is to close and demolish anything historical, it seems.

Bromley Cross has just seen its solid and sound, circa 1820s, Volunteer Inn, built of local sandstone, bulldozed for a modern bland supermarket building and car park.

Will there be anything left to hand over to future generations — any quality structures, any green belt or open land?

Simon Pearce Bromley Cross