Opening of historic viaduct ramp delayed further

The ramp was due to open in July

The opening of a new access ramp at a historic viaduct has been delayed again.

Construction of the ramp at Bennerley Viaduct, on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border, began in March and was due to open in July.

However, the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct charity said contractors needed more time to ensure the installation was safe.

It was hoped the ramp would open three to four weeks later but site ranger Ian Lambert said on Wednesday that it had been delayed further due to poor weather conditions.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, he said the charity did not have a definite date for the opening of the new ramp but said it "should be open shortly".

A new visitor centre is set to be built once the ramp is completed

Mr Lambert said: "The ramp was built but had some settling issues due to the heavy rainfall we've had, where the soil which is used to build up the ramp had started to slip, so the contractors have been out to the site to fix that."

The ramp will give access to its 1,410ft (429.8m) platform.

The attraction has been partially closed while the work has been taking place.

Bennerley Viaduct first opened as a railway bridge in 1877 near Ilkeston but was closed in 1968 as part of the Beeching railway cuts.

It reopened 54 years later in 2022 as a footbridge for cyclists and pedestrians - connecting Awsworth in Nottinghamshire with Ilkeston in Derbyshire - as part of a £1.4m project.

Work to create the visitor centre is due to start after the ramp is completed.