Bridge attraction is held back for investigation into 'failure' of ramp

PROBLEM COULD DELAY WORK ON CAR PARK

- BY JOSHUA HARTLEY

THE completion of a tourism attraction has been delayed by an investigation into the "failure" of part of the structure.

Plans were approved in 2023 for a visitor centre, car park and raised pedestrian and cycling link on the eastern side of Grade-II* listed Bennerley Viaduct.

The viaduct, built in 1877, reopened to the public in 2022 after a ramp was built on the western side of the derelict bridge.

But work on the approved plans, which aimed to turn the 19th-century structure into a visitor attraction, has hit a significant stumbling block.

The new eastern ramp on to the bridge known as the "Iron Giant" which was part of plans to make it accessible to walkers and cyclists, has failed and will have to be redesigned and replaced.