Repairs planned for city's damaged 'Rialto Bridge'

The bridge was built in the 1850s

Repairs are being planned on a grand staircase in Leicester city centre.

Known locally as the Rialto Bridge, the Grade-II* listed structure, outside the Corn Exchange, has been fenced off for more than a year and is on Historic England's register of buildings at risk.

Leicester City Council, which owns the 1850s-built staircase, has now submitted a planning application for a series of major repairs aimed at restoring it to its former glory.

The authority said the job required specialist workers, and it was seeking funding from Historic England to pay for the project.

Documents accompanying the application said the bridge had previously been subject to "modern and inappropriate" repairs in the 1990s which had worsened the state of its decaying stonework.

The bridge's design mimics that of the famous landmark in Venice

The documents added: "There are various urgent repairs necessary, or where works are recommended to be put in hand within a year to both safeguard the historic building fabric."

The council said surveys had shown stormwater was passing through lime mortar, causing staining and decay.

Specialists have told the council it will take between five and six months to complete and that the work should take place over the summer and autumn period.

The staircase - designed by architect William Flint as a single-storey market trading hall - is attached to the Corn Exchange.

It was extended in 1855 by Frederick Webster Ordish with the addition of an extra floor to accommodate magistrates' court hearings, Historic England said.

Huge crowds at the bridge celebrating the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary on 22 June 1911

A council spokesperson said: "We have completed condition surveys on the bridge and set out what works are needed.

"The current planning application is to get formal permission for the works, as the bridge is a listed building.

"We are applying to Historic England for some funding to help us with this work.

"If this is successful, we will be able to start work on site later this year."