Bid to raise £50k to build new bridge at viaduct

A charity has said it needs to raise £50,000 to build a replacement footbridge next to a landmark Victorian viaduct on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border.

The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (FoBV) has begun fundraising for the new bridge to cross the River Erewash in the shadow of the viaduct, dubbed the Iron Giant.

The viaduct reopened in 2022 after being closed for 54 years and the proposed 14.6m (48ft) bridge is part of a plan to attract more visitors to the heritage site.

The FoBV said the footbridge would be the "final chapter" in its campaign to rescue the Grade II* listed structure.

Erewash Borough Council is currently considering a planning application for the footbridge.

The FoBV said the £50,000 was needed to acquire building materials, mainly timber, for the new crossing.

It has launched an online fundraiser towards the goal.

FoBV operations director Peter Collins said: "An old concrete bridge over the river was declared unsafe and can no longer be used.

"The viaduct deck is unrivalled for views of the valley, but to fully appreciate the design and engineering of the viaduct you need to go below where you can see the wrought iron trestles up close."

He said the bridge would also allow views of bird and animal and plant life on the site and added the project would also help protect the riverbank from erosion.

If the money is raised and planning permission granted, the bridge would be built largely by FoBV volunteers and students from the University of Kent.

The FoBV also hopes to complete the construction of a new access ramp to the viaduct at the Awsworth side of the crossing, and a new visitor centre this year.

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