If you have been down to Bennerley Viaduct this week, you will have seen a team of engineers with drones, lasers and other hi-tech equipment carrying out a detailed inspection of the viaduct. The inspection is a key milestone in the project. It is the culmination of a coordinated effort by many people from a range of organisations. This inspection will give us the most up to date picture of the condition of the viaduct and it will inform our bids for funding to bring the viaduct back into use as a walking and cycling trail.
Principal engineer, Dave Gent considers working on this project as “a dream come true” and a “once in a career opportunity”. He is full of praise for the volunteers who have spent the last eighteen months preparing the viaduct for inspection by removing ballast from the deck and clearing scrub vegetation from beneath the viaduct. Dave and his team would like to pass on their thanks to all who participated in the volunteer workdays.
See link https://www.facebook.com/bennerleyviaduct/
I also attach a link to the most stunning image that I have seen of the viaduct. Surely this image would make a wonderful poster or framed print. It was taken by Paul Atherley who is a regular contributor to our Facebook page. We used it as an inspirational backdrop during one of our planning meetings last week and I know some people are using it a a screensaver. See image.
Finally, if you want to be kept up to date with the project and be involved with its development, please join us for our next Friends of Bennerley Viaduct Meeting which will take place next Monday 26th at the Dewdrop Inn, Ilkeston. Start Time 7:00 pm. If you have any items for the agenda, please email them to me asap.