Plan to replace closed nature reserve bridge

The bridge was closed in 2023 "to protect visitors", Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said

A bridge at a nature reserve looks set to be replaced after it closed 18 months ago, causing "frustration and inconvenience".

The Works Bridge at Attenborough Nature Reserve, near Beeston in Nottinghamshire, forms part of a public footpath.

However, the structure was closed in April 2023 after a safety inspection, resulting in a "lengthy" diversion around the reserve for visitors and nearby residents.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which runs the site, says it is "committed" to installing a new bridge by the end of March 2025.

The trust said it was "acutely aware that the closure of the bridge has been a cause of frustration and inconvenience for visitors, residents and volunteers over the past 18 months".

The structure has been in place for decades, a spokesperson for the wildlife trust said

The structure had been an "important link" at the reserve, forming part of a public footpath that had been closed prior to the trust's purchase of the site, a trust spokesman said.

"We've always been committed to restoring it," he said,

"We had hoped the bridge would last longer."

After the trust reviewed a number of options it found a replacement bridge was the "most practical and resilient solution".

"Identifying a solution has been a real challenge due to difficulties of access to the bridge site, the need to ensure that wildlife isn't unduly disturbed during construction and the potential future implications of climate change on water levels on the site," the trust said in a statement.

The new bridge is estimated to cost about £375,000.

The trust said £90,000 had already been raised with a further £85,000 earmarked towards the project.

A plan is being finalised and discussed with the relevant planning authorities, the trust said.