National treasure that needs preserving
MIKE Hotter was right, Friar Gate bridge is in dire need of attention (“Disgraceful state of historic railway bridge”, January 8).
However, simply painting it is not enough and would actually be detrimental to its long-term preservation. Even a moderate restoration exercise would prove to be too short-term and leave Derby’s ratepayers with high annual maintenance costs, unless the bridge were simply allowed to deteriorate again.
What is really required is a complete restoration programme, for which we have recent estimates upwards of £3 million, depending on the end use of the bridge. Given that the council has just spent £7.2 million on another bridge (which I actually like but which is not as unique as Friar Gate’s) one could argue that it should put its hand in its pocket to preserve this national treasure. Successive council administrations, of all political persuasions, have ignored the bridge since they bought it in 1985 – several of today’s councillors don’t even appear to know that they own it.
However, there is, or was, light at the end of the tunnel. Last January, Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for regeneration, addressed the AGM of Friends of Friar Gate Bridge, acknowledged the council’s obligation and promised co-operation to work on a solution.
True to his word, a few weeks later, he and Robin Wood, cabinet member for culture and tourism, met with representatives of The Friends, CWC Group (owners of the adjacent Goods Yard) and the university, all of whom have an interest in the area around the bridge. Real progress was made at that meeting with a commitment to meet quarterly afterwards as plans developed. Then Covid arrived.
Each of the small board of Friends’ trustees has other public obligations and for months have been preoccupied as a result. The city council has many challenges to deal with and doubtless CWC has, too. However, like the NHS, we know how to deal with Covid’s effects now so we have set out to turn the light back on. We have already written to the councillors and CWC and await their response.
Meanwhile, we know that the Friends of Friar Gate Bridge has to be the driving force. We would very much appreciate hearing from those who can offer knowledge and experience to the cause of getting the bridge restored.
Howard Thomas, chair, Friends of
Friar Gate Bridge