Help us raise funds for our new footbridge

Until last year, a concrete bridge over the River Erewash to the north of the viaduct provided public access to the footpaths and environment underneath the Iron Giant.

But the bridge was condemned and closed to the public on safety grounds by Harworth Group, which owns the footbridge, on land to the north of the viaduct. FOBV’s goal is to preserve the Viaduct and its immediate surrounding area for future generations, hence we are looking to secure funding to create a new crossing over the River Erewash and to pay for materials to stabilise the river bank where the bridge will be built.

Since the initial launch of our Crowdfunder campaign, FOBV has raised £20,000 of the total £50,000 needed; now we need to raise a further £10,000 as match funding for a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid that we, at Friends of Bennerley Viaduct are currently composing.

How we’ll spend the money raised

Local volunteers and students from the University of Kent will provide the labour to build the bridge, led by FOBV trustee and leading bridge designer Ron Yee. All the monies raised will go towards to providing the materials for the bridge and river erosion works. 

Community impact

The new footbridge will secure an important access route via which visitors and volunteers can access the viaduct and enjoy its setting from below, providing a legacy for future generations. 

Read more and make a pledge here.

Image Credit: Copyright HA-EY Ltd and Tandem Studios Ltd