National Highways and Historic England have signed a landmark agreement to protect and promote England’s heritage, ensuring delivery of good outcomes for people and communities.
The Chief Executives of National Highways and Historic England signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Monday, 2 June at the recently restored Upminster Tithe Barn.
The agreement lays out how National Highways and Historic England will work together to conserve and enhance sites of heritage significance.
The repair of Upminster Tithe Barn, owned by Havering Council, is a key example of this partnership working approach. The project was largely funded by National Highways as part of the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, which will run to the east of the site. The Lower Thames Crossing has a designated funding stream to support initiatives that deliver lasting benefits to communities and the environment in the vicinity.
National Highways Chief Executive, Nick Harris, said:
“I am delighted to see the positive outcome we have achieved here in Upminster by working together and to sign this agreement. National Highways is committed to conserving and enhancing heritage assets around the strategic road network, and the agreements signed will help to make the high standards achieved on this project become the norm across our other work together.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, added:
“The magnificent restoration of Upminster Tithe Barn demonstrates the powerful benefits of working together to protect our irreplaceable heritage and delivery of positive outcomes for people and communities alike. The partnership with National Highways shows how infrastructure projects and heritage protection can go hand in hand successfully. We look forward to building on this collaborative approach through our new agreement, ensuring that we continue to deliver excellent outcomes for historic sites while supporting National Highways’ vital infrastructure work that connects communities across the country.”
(Pic: National Highways/Historic England)
