Viaduct access to be restricted as work starts on building a new ramp
PREPARATORY work has started on installing a ramp on the eastern side of Bennerley Viaduct.
The work will involve removing a section of embankment to enable earth moving machinery to transport material to construct the new ramp. The work will also involve the removal of vegetation from selected areas.
The main construction work will commence towards the end of March. The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (FOBV) have appointed a company for the work and says its members look forward to working with them.
During the works, the eastern end of the viaduct will be closed and there will be no access from that end. The underside of the viaduct will be open, as will the deck but access and egress will be from the Derbyshire side only.
The friends estimate this section of the viaduct will be closed for approximately three months whilst the work is taking place.
The group said: “We apologise for any inconvenience but this is the only way that we can make the viaduct accessible to all sections of the community.”
The ramp will be similar in shape and size to the western ramp.
The group also reported in its February newsletter about plans to construct a visitor centre and car park.
The work will be going out to tender at the end of February and the group said: “We look forward to working with the company which we appoint. The expected start date will be in late spring. Our thanks go to Broxtowe Borough Council for their support.”
Meanwhile, the Railway Ramblers have donated two cast iron seats which will be mounted at the top of the western ramp. The installation of the seats created a challenge as the nearest road is half a mile away and FOBV needed to transport nearly four tons of sand and ballast to form the bases for the seats.
The Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association came to the rescue, offering the use of their maintenance boat, the Pentland. Teams of volunteers from the FoBV and the Canal Association joined forces to load and unload the boat and shift the ballast and sand to the viaduct