SUSTRANS APPOINT PROJECT MANAGER FOR BENNERLEY VIADUCT

Sustrans, owners of the Bennerley Viaduct which once carried the Great Northern Railway across the Erewash Valley from Derbyshire into Nottinghamshire, have appointed Bill Tomson to manage the initial stages of a project to restore the historic structure and to integrate it into the local and national cycling network. 

Bennerley is one of only two wrought iron viaducts remaining in Britain and is a Grade II listed structure. It is supported by lattice trestles, chosen for their light weight because of subsidence in the area. It was built in 1877 and after a long and active life - including surviving a Zeppelin raid in 1916- it  was taken out of service in the 1960's when the line was closed as part of the Beeching cuts. It was saved from demolition only because the costs were prohibitive - wrought iron cannot be cut and must be dismantled rivet by rivet.  The threat of demolition did not entirely go away and a number of groups expressed their wish to preserve it. In 1988 the Bennerley Preservation Trust was formed and made plans for restoration which never came to fruition. Sustrans purchased the viaduct in 1998. 

This lates move by Sustrans is therefore very encouraging because it means that at last resources have been committed to the project. 

Bill's primary task is to prepare bids for funding the project through its various stages. This will be done in conjunction with partner organisations in the area. Before these bids can be formulated however there is a certain amount of groundwork to be done. 

Firstly a full structural survey will be carried out to determine the condition of the viaduct, the repairs necessary to make it safe for pedestrians and cyclists to use and, crucially, the cost of those repairs.  It is hoped that this will take place in the next twelve months. 

Secondly, to give some impetus to the project and credibility to the funding bids there needs to be a groundswell of support. Bill will be making contacts at the national level to raise the profile of the project and to explore funding possibilities, but he is also very keen to work with local groups and individuals. 

One idea locally is the formation of a Friends group. This would help to raise awareness and support and give local people the opportunity to get involved with some support from Sustrans. The Erewash Valley Sustrans Rangers will, of course, be doing what they can to support the scheme. 

The construction of the viaduct was completed in eighteen months, but don't expect such rapid progress this time! The first visible sign that the project is under way is likely to be the creation of one or more easily accessible viewpoints from which the viaduct can be seen to best advantage.  At the moment views of the viaduct are limited by trees and shrubs along the Erewash Canal towpath, so there would need to be some careful and sensitive vegetation clearance. One location to be considered, in agreement with the Canals and Rivers Trust, is at Stenson's Lock near Awsworth Road, Ilkeston. 

Anyone interested in becoming involved in any way, including writing a large cheque, can contact Bill by email: Bill.Tomson@sustrans.org.uk  or on 0115 8932948.

Jeff