Opening of ramp at historic viaduct delayed

The Victorian viaduct reopened to the public in 2022 as a walkway and cycle link

The opening of a ramp being constructed at a historic viaduct has been delayed.

Bennerley Viaduct, on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border, was due to unveil the ramp up to its 1,410ft platform after a programme of work began in March.

The attraction has been partially closed, on the Nottinghamshire side, while work has been taking place.

The ramp was due to open on Saturday but contractors need more time for "snagging" work to ensure the installation is safe, the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct charity said.

The charity said it believed it would be able to welcome people to a "fully open viaduct" in about three to four weeks.

A spokesperson said: "We've been informed by the contractors that we cannot open the ramp this weekend as we had hoped.

"Although we are disappointed, we trust our contractor's diligence and respect that complex construction projects sometimes require more time than was planned for.

"They need to carry out further snagging tasks, the essential process of checking a new build."

"Snagging" tasks need to be carried out before the viaduct can reopen

The Grade II*-listed Victorian viaduct, which connects Awsworth in Nottinghamshire with Ilkeston in Derbyshire over the River Erewash and Robin Hood Railway, reopened to the public as a walkway and cycle path in 2022 after being closed for 54 years.

The new ramp will replace steps on the Nottinghamshire side of the old railway line to "improve access".

Further work to create a new visitor centre will be undertaken after the ramp is installed.

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