Hundreds of people have joined protests against the proposed demolition of two Victorian railway bridges.

Campaigners say Network Rail’s plans to tear down the bridges in Hackbridge “would be madness” and could mean new crossings have to be built in the coming years.

Rail bosses earmarked the Hundred Acre Bridge and Irrigation Bridge for demolition in May because it “cannot afford” the necessary maintenance.

The bridges are not currently open to the public, but the Wandle Valley Forum said both would provide “vital access” to green land due to open in the next few years, Some 570 people have signed a petition launched by the forum urging Network Rail to call off the demolition.

Tony Burton, forum chair, said: “The importance of the bridges is that they provide vital access across the railway in the largest area of open space in the Wandle Valley Regional Park.

“This includes the area of Beddington Farmlands that is now going to be opened up for public access as part of the development of the new incinerator by Viridor.

“The land on either side of the bridges is currently in private hands but is part of long-term plans in the Wandle Valley Regional Park for a major new public open space.

“This is the largest environmental opportunity in London with an area of open land from Beddington Park to Mitcham Common over three times the size of Hyde Park.

“It would be madness to demolish the bridges only to have to build new bridges in a few years’ time when the new plans come to fruition.”

Beddington Farmlands, a 400-acre section of the regional park, is due to open to the public later this decade after the completion of the construction of the incinerator.

A spokesman for National Rail said: “The bridges in questions are the Irrigation Bridge and Hundred Acre Bridge, which cross the railway north of Hackbridge station and the road bridge.

“Neither of these are a public right of way and indeed they have been fenced off for some time.

“We would be happy for the local council to take over responsibility for the bridges, however after many years of discussions, we have had no offers.

“It’s a difficult situation as all public bodies have to be cautious with how they spend public money, but we simply cannot afford to spend tax and fare payers’ cash on structures that are not in railway use or as rights of way. As a result, the bridges are slated for demolition.”

But the Wandle Valley Forum claim Network Rail’s assessment showed it would be cheaper to maintain the bridges than tear them down.

To view the petition click here.