How National Highways and Historic England Are Safeguarding Heritage

At a time when modern infrastructure is often pitted against the preservation of the past, a new agreement between National Highways and Historic England shows that the two can work in harmony. Signed at the recently restored Upminster Tithe Barn in Havering, this landmark Memorandum of Understanding cements a long-term partnership aimed at protecting heritage sites while delivering essential transport infrastructure across England.

The Upminster Tithe Barn, a striking 15th-century structure once at risk of irreversible decline, stands as the perfect setting for such an agreement. Once burdened by a leaking roof and failing timber frame, the barn had been added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. Today, following a major restoration, it has not only been saved but celebrated, and is now removed from that list entirely.

The £747,000 restoration was made possible through funding from National Highways' Lower Thames Crossing Designated Funds and additional support from Historic England. It is a strong example of how designated infrastructure funding can deliver wider benefits for local communities and safeguard irreplaceable cultural landmarks.

Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, said: “We are committed to conserving and enhancing heritage assets around the strategic road network. This agreement will help make the high standards achieved on this project the norm across our other work.”

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “The Upminster restoration shows what is possible when we work together. We are proud to sign this agreement and ensure that infrastructure and heritage are no longer at odds but are partners in shaping the future.”

Originally constructed using oak felled between 1420 and 1440, the Upminster Tithe Barn measures nearly 150 feet in length and is one of the largest thatched barns in the country. Its restoration included historic timber frame repairs, full roof re-thatching using around 30 tonnes of water reed, and improved safety features such as fire alarms, lightning protection and modern lighting. Finishing touches like the handcrafted boxing hare roof finials, named Willow and Hunter by local schoolchildren, added character and charm to the renewed structure.

The work was carried out by an expert team that included Lexden Contracts, Essex Oak Frame, Simply Thatch, Purcell, Conisbee and Stace. Together with Havering Council, they have delivered a structure that is once again safe, accessible and ready to serve the community for decades to come.

Beyond the brickwork and timber, the project signals a wider shift in how we think about development. The Lower Thames Crossing, a major road infrastructure scheme, contributed funding through its community-focused designated funds programme, a model that is already having a broader impact. Other local initiatives supported through the programme include Northfleet Community Farm, the Purfleet Heritage Centre and the Thurrock LGBTQ+ Network.

The barn’s history itself is emblematic of national turbulence. Built during the Great Slump and predating the Wars of the Roses, its survival through centuries of economic and political upheaval mirrors the resilience of communities like Upminster. As National Highways and Historic England have now demonstrated, with the right support, even at-risk heritage can be restored to play a meaningful role in modern civic life.

The new agreement will help both organisations collaborate more closely on upcoming infrastructure projects along England’s motorways and major A-roads. It means future works, from road widening to new link roads, will have stronger heritage oversight from the outset. The partnership also commits to celebrating historic places, making space for public engagement and embedding heritage protection into infrastructure planning, not as a barrier but as a shared priority.

The restored barn is expected to play a growing community role moving forward. With new fundraising efforts underway to install a heating system and facilities, there is hope it can become a well-used civic space, capable of hosting events, exhibitions and educational programmes. As our cities and transport networks evolve, partnerships like this one provide a blueprint for how we can ensure progress does not come at the cost of the past. The Upminster Tithe Barn may have been built over 600 years ago, but its restoration and the agreement signed beneath its beams tells a very 21st-century story, one of collaboration, stewardship and hope.