Replacement bridge arrives at nature reserve

Work to dismantle an unsafe footbridge at a nature reserve is set to begin after its replacement arrived on site.

The Works Bridge at Attenborough Nature Reserve, near Beeston in Nottinghamshire, was closed in April 2023 after a safety inspection.

Plans to demolish and replace the structure, which forms part of an existing bridleway, were approved by Broxtowe Borough Council in September, with the entire project expected to cost £375,000.

Its new 25-tonne replacement, which was built in Wigan, arrived at the site in two sections on Monday. It will be assembled and lifted into place after the old bridge is removed on Tuesday.

Paul Wilkinson, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said he was thrilled to get the process under way and hoped it would be ready for visitors in a "matter of weeks".

The new bridge arrived in two sections on separate low-loader lorries, with both pieces lifted into the reserve by a large crane.

In replacing the old bridge, the new structure will restore the bridleway route through the reserve between The Strand and Meadow Lane.

Wilkinson said work would be needed around the bridge before it could open to visitors.

He explained: "Once it's in, inspected and everyone's happy that it's fitting properly and working well, we've got to do some work to re-landscape the area and build the access routes up to and around the bridge.

"It'll probably be a couple of weeks before people can start using the bridge, but we just need to make sure everything's right.

"At the moment we've got lots of machinery on site and plenty of other things to clear away, so hopefully everyone will bear with us for another couple of weeks while we complete the final stages and get it open to everyone.

"This access is really important to people and we understand that. We're delighted that we'll be reopening this route."

The Works Bridge was closed before the trust purchased the reserve in 2020.

It was reopened as a footpath only, making it unsuitable for bikes and horses.

At the time, the bridge could not be repaired to a standard required for a bridleway.

But, in 2023, a further inspection found the bridge was no longer safe for anybody to use, and it was closed once more.

Since then, the trust has committed £85,000 to the project, with a further £120,000 raised through public donations and pledged funding.

The trust initially aimed to install a new bridge by March 2025, but the plan was hit by delays.

A spokesperson for the trust previously said new planning legislation meant a decision by the council took longer than expected.

Wilkinson told the BBC the closure of the bridge had been a "real concern" for both the trust and the local community.

He added: "The time is now. Let's get the old one out, get the new one in, and let's enjoy it."

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.