Bennerley Viaduct: Bid to raise £50k for new footbridge relaunched

A charity has relaunched a campaign to raise £50,000 for a 14.6m footbridge beside Bennerley Viaduct; planning was approved on 15 January and the group has already raised £20,000.

Friends of Bennerley Viaduct has relaunched its campaign to raise £50,000 for a replacement footbridge beside the historic Bennerley Viaduct on the Nottinghamshire–Derbyshire border. The proposed bridge would cross the River Erewash and measure about 14.6 metres (48 ft). The charity says planning was approved by Erewash Borough Council on 15 January and that £20,000 has already been raised. The group describes the footbridge as the final chapter in its campaign to rescue the Grade II* listed structure and to restore a circular walking route. Key facts: - The charity relaunched a campaign seeking £50,000 for a replacement footbridge; £20,000 had been raised previously. - After planning approval on 15 January, the group says it now needs a further £10,000 to reach match funding for a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid. - Bennerley Viaduct reopened in 2022 after being closed for 54 years. - The proposed bridge would be about 14.6m (48ft) long and cross the River Erewash; funding is intended to pay for materials to secure the riverbank. - Construction is expected to be carried out largely by Friends of Bennerley Viaduct volunteers alongside students from the University of Kent. Summary: If the remaining funds are secured, the charity plans to build the footbridge to reconnect the circular route and complete its restoration campaign for the viaduct. The immediate next step reported is to raise the additional £10,000 needed to reach match funding for the National Lottery Heritage Fund bid.