Following the successful completion of safety work on the Lydbrook Bridge it will be re-opened for walkers on September 24th.

Lydbrook Bridge, known locally as Stowfield Viaduct or the Black Bridge, was built in 1875 to take the railway across the River Wye. The rail line was closed in 1964 and the bridge deck was refurbished to form a walkway. The bridge was closed in 2016 due to safety concerns.

In February an application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a scheme that would allow the structure to be repaired to secure the long term future of the bridge. However, in July notification was received that the bid was unsuccessful.

The poor condition of the structure meant that safety work began in June to make sure that river traffic and walkers continued to be safe when passing underneath. The safety work will finish at the end of September.

Good access to the bridge during the work allowed engineers the opportunity to devise a safe, workable, short-term solution to get the bridge re-opened.

A temporary walkway will now be added to the bridge supported by the remaining columns and beams.

The best long term solution to restore the river crossing still needs to be found but this will be dependent on the level of funding that can be secured and when it becomes available.Councillor Paul Newman told the Ross gazette: "Good news! I do believe that common sense has prevailed and a workable solution found." However, he is also determined to find out exactly what “short term” and “temporary” mean, and he is hoping that there will be an opening ceremony on September 24th.

Cllr Terry Hale, county councillor for Drybrook and Lydbrook said, “I know how much the local community and our visitors value this key crossing point over the river that forms part of the popular Wye Valley Walk.

“As a result I’ve done all I can to support the work to get the bridge re-opened and I hope that like me, people will be delighted that this will now happen and much sooner than we’d originally thought. I will continue to support everyone’s efforts to find a long term solution.”

Cllr Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, said: “Obviously the news regarding the Heritage Lottery Fund bid is disappointing, but because of our proactive partnership work I’m sure people from both sides of the river will be delighted to know that the bridge will soon be accessible on foot once again.

“We would like to thank residents and visitors to Lydbrook for their continuing patience whilst the repair works take place.”

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