The Witham to Maldon railway line (dismantled) (EHER 18507)
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Summary
The Maldon, Witham and Braintree Railway was opened in 1848.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TL 8384 1144 (3344m by 8254m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HEYBRIDGE, MALDON, ESSEX |
| Civil Parish | WITHAM, BRAINTREE, ESSEX |
| Civil Parish | LANGFORD, MALDON, ESSEX |
| Civil Parish | MALDON, MALDON, ESSEX |
| Civil Parish | WICKHAM BISHOPS, MALDON, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
The Witham to Maldon railway line was part of a longer route that joined Wickford with Bishop's Stortford via Woodham Ferrers, Maldon, Witham and Braintree. The Maldon, Witham and Braintree Railway was opened in 1848 and following substantial losses over several years, the line was closed in April 1966 as part of the Beeching cuts. Track and ballast have generally been removed and sections sold to several owners, although the County Council is the majority owner. This section of line includes short span bridges, long span bridges comprising two timber viaducts (see EHER 8457) and various brick arch culverts. Along most of the length of the railway is a cast iron pipe which although generally below ground does appear above ground at several culvert and bridge locations; it is apparently a disused water main that once formed part of a more extensive distribution network. <1>
For individual elements and bridges see EHER 8457, EHER 18508-18533 and EHER 48600-48619.
The southern loop towards Wickham Bishops is now extinguished by Industrial Estate. The northern loop towards Colchester was carried on a track (now represented by Eastways (Road) which runs between the present railway line to Colchester to its NW and RDC Industrial Estate buildings on its SE. Sidings, goods shed, cattle pens, coal yard, signal box shown on 2nd and 3rd editions OS maps (around 1897 and 1924) not extant.
Information from NRHE import:
The Maldon, Witham and Braintree Railway was authorised in 1846 to develop Maldon's harbour and to provide a port for the seed and corn produced around Braintree. The Eastern Counties Railway permitted it to cross the main line at Witham on the level, requiring reversal at Witham and in effect creating two branch lines. It absorbed the line, which was completed in 1848. The Witham - Braintree section (EHER 80747) remains open, but the Witham - Maldon section closed to passengers in 1964 and to goods in 1966. <2>
Sources
Related Monuments/Buildings (32)
- Parent of: Late 19th century or later dock, Maldon East Station (Monument) (EHER 82097)
- Parent of: Late 19th/early 20th century terrace of workers' cottages, No.s 3, 5, 7, 9 Station Road, Witham to Maldon dismantled railway (Building) (EHER 48619)
- Parent of: Maldon East Railway Station (Listed Building) (EHER 15072)
- Parent of: Mid 19th cebtury culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, Wickham Bishops (Monument) (EHER 18520)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century bridge on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, east of Sauls Bridge Close (Monument) (EHER 18510)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century bridge on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, Station Road (Monument) (EHER 18521)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century bridge on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, trackway east of St Peter's Church (Monument) (EHER 18522)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, east of Benton Close (Monument) (EHER 18511)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, east of Benton Close (Monument) (EHER 18512)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, east of Sauls Bridge Close (Monument) (EHER 18509)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, north of Blue Mills Hill (Monument) (EHER 18514)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, north-east of Oliver's Farm (Monument) (EHER 18516)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, north-east of Oliver's Farm (Monument) (EHER 18515)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, north-west of Wickham Hall Barn (Monument) (EHER 18524)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, south of A12 (Monument) (EHER 18513)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, south of Pasture Road (Monument) (EHER 18508)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, south-west of Whitelands (Monument) (EHER 18527)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, west of Heybridge Approach (Monument) (EHER 18533)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, west of Langford Road (Monument) (EHER 18523)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, west of Little Hills (Monument) (EHER 18528)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, west of Whitelands (Monument) (EHER 18526)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, Wickham Bishops (Monument) (EHER 18518)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century culverts on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, north-west of Langford Place (Monument) (EHER 18530)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century railway station, 'Wickham Station' (now a house, 'Old Station'), on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway (Building) (EHER 48608)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century road bridge on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, Maldon Road (Monument) (EHER 18529)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century single span bridge on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, west of Wickham Hall Barn (Monument) (EHER 18525)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century station master's house, at Wickham Station, on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway (Building) (EHER 82945)
- Parent of: Mid 19th century timber trestle railway viaduct, 'Wickham Bishops timber trestle railway viaduct', Witham to Maldon dismantled railway (Monument) (EHER 8457)
- Parent of: Possible mid 19th century culvert on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway line, south of Langford Place (Monument) (EHER 18531)
- Parent of: Possibly mid 19th century house, 'Broomhills' at Wickham Station, on the Witham to Maldon dismantled railway (Building) (EHER 82946)
- Parent of: Site of late 19th century engine house, Maldon East Station, Witham to Maldon dismantled railway (Building) (EHER 48618)
- Related to: Witham to Braintree railway line (Monument) (EHER 80747)
Other References
- National Monuments Record: LINEAR 1116