7254 Early Railways: Review and Summary of Recent Research

Tender description

Britain led the world in the development of railways and surviving buildings and structures of railways from the earliest period of their existence are of national and often international significance. This project concerns early railways (as defined in section 2) which have been the subject of renewed research interest in recent years. As a consequence of their date (mostly pre-1830), surviving assets of early railways frequently fall within categories of buildings or structures that need to be assessed for special historical or architectural interest or archaeological sites and monuments of national importance. We need to ensure that assessment is based on the most up-to-date research available and that the assets identified in the course of that research are adequately protected. This project will summarise current research, consider what is already protected and explore gaps within it, together with drawing up a strategy for future protection, both at national and local levels.