Bennerley Viaduct Sustrans visit

On Thursday I joined a group from the Sustrans board on a visit to Bennerley Viaduct. This wrought iron viaduct took the GNR Friargate-Nottingham Victoria line across the the Erewash valley between Cotmanhay and Awsworth. It was closed in the late 60`s and would have been demolished but the story goes that oxy acetelene could not be used to cut it up (because of the wrought iron material?) and the alternative of deriveting the structure was too expensive, eventually the stucture was listed. Sustrans have the responsibility of managing the viaduct and potentially it could be an onward development of the Great Northern greenway that started with the opening of the Breadsall greenway last year. The embankments either side of the viaduct have long since been removed and the only way on to the deck of the viaduct is by a scramble up a steep slope from either end. Everyone managed to do this and we walked the length of the structure. Most of the board members were not familiar with the locality and thus the potential route structure that the bridge offered - I tried to enlighten them. They queried what benefits would be forthcoming to the local communities etc. There was to be a board meeting to discuss the subject later in the day. My feelings were that because of the current financial constraints nothing would be done at least in the short term. I mentioned to them the plans by the local & county councils on the Erewash valley developments and that the viaduct could, maybe, feature in this. The chairman said that he was willing to chair a meeting with all interested parties. We await !!