HERITAGE campaigners have suffered another blow to their quest to save a railway viaduct.

The Hockley Viaduct, built in the late 19th century, is thought to be one of the first made with a concrete core.

It played a vital role in the build-up to D-Day when 16,000 military trains carried supplies to Southampton.

The Friends of Hockley Viaduct group has made another bid to have the structure listed by the government. However, it has just received its second refusal - the fourth overall - to list the viaduct.

According to English Heritage, the government's advisers on the historic environment, the viaduct is "not as advanced as some notable examples built by the same engineer which predate this structure".

"Therefore it is not of sufficient architectural or historic interest to merit listing," a report from English Heritage reads.

If the building were listed the friends would be able to apply for grants to repair the structure, which runs parallel with the M3 near Twyford Down.

Leading campaigner Chris Webb said: "It must be seen by thousands of people every day and at the moment it is not a good advertisement for Winchester or Hampshire."

The government's continued refusals to list the building, which belongs to Winchester City Council, means taxpayers could be left to foot expensive repair bills.

Mr Webb added: "We're disappointed. A lot of work has gone into the effort to have it listed."

The viaduct was built by the firm Galbraith and Church. It has lain dormant since it closed in 1966.

Vandalism has left a good deal of the parapet on one side of the viaduct damaged.

FACTFILE:

Factfile

The viaduct is the largest in Hampshire, measuring 2,014ft long and with 32 arches.

It is believed to be one of the first made with a concrete core and brick cladding.

It was built in 1891 to carry the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway.

It was renovated in the run-up to D-Day.

It closed in 1966.