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The Guardian World1 min read
Victorian Society publishes list of most endangered buildings in England and Wales
TL;DR
The Victorian Society has released its annual list of the top 10 endangered buildings in England and Wales, highlighting sites at risk due to decay or neglect. Notable entries include Teesside’s Transporter Bridge and a disinfecting station in Hackney.
Key points
- Victorian Society published annual endangered buildings list
- Top 10 list highlights buildings at risk in England and Wales
- Teesside’s Transporter Bridge is among the endangered sites
- All listed buildings are Grade II or higher
- Buildings face threats from decay or neglect
Mentioned in this story
Victorian SocietyTeessideHackneyBarrow-in-FurnessGriff Rhys Jones
Teesside’s Transporter Bridge, a disinfecting station in Hackney and a former working men’s club in Barrow-in-Furness have been included on a list ringing alarm bells for Victorian and Edwardian heritage.
The Victorian Society has published its annual top 10 endangered buildings list, intended as a way of drawing national attention to at-risk places in England and Wales.
Also on the list is a secluded mausoleum in north Wales and an Essex house containing remarkable, little-known painted interiors by the artist Elizabeth Arkwright.
Griff Rhys Jones, the president of the Victorian Society, said it was a “desolation” that all 10 were Grade II-listed, with two at Grade II*, meaning they already have protection. They were all “under threat from decay or neglect”, he said.
“We have had great results in the past. But unless we look to them, deserted or abandoned, fine and beautiful structures can be subject to arson attacks or continued decay. We need to shout out about these ones. They have a future for all of us. They can be reused.”
The Tees Bransporter Bridge dates from 1911 and has been closed since 2019 because of structural concerns.
The Tees Transporter Bridge. Photograph: Philip Silverman/Getty Images
It is, the society said, “one of the most recognisable engineering landmarks in the UK” but “its future now hangs in the balance”.
Responsibility for the bridge is shared between Middlesbrough and Stockton councils but the estimated £60m repair and restoration bill is beyond their means, the society said.
It is calling for a coordinated national response to either reopen the bridge as a crossing or conserve it as a monument.
James Hughes, director of the society, said: “The Tees Transporter Bridge is one of Britain’s most remarkable feats of engineering and a defining landmark of the north-east.
“Its future cannot be left to uncertainty. A clear strategy, supported at national level, is urgently needed to secure both its structure and its continued role in the life of the region.”
Q&A
What are the top endangered buildings in England and Wales for 2023?
The top endangered buildings include Teesside’s Transporter Bridge, a disinfecting station in Hackney, and a former working men’s club in Barrow-in-Furness.
Why are these buildings considered endangered?
These buildings are deemed endangered due to threats from decay or neglect, despite being Grade II-listed or higher.
Who is the president of the Victorian Society?
Griff Rhys Jones is the president of the Victorian Society, advocating for the preservation of these endangered buildings.
What can be done to protect these endangered buildings?
The Victorian Society emphasizes the need for national attention and potential reuse of these structures to prevent further decay and threats like arson.
