Bennerley Viaduct: A Bridge Between Two Counties and Two Centuries

Are you ready to embark on a journey of history, engineering, and scenic views? Look no further than Bennerley Viaduct, a former railway bridge turned foot and cycle path connecting Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and Awsworth, Nottinghamshire in central England.

Built in 1877, the viaduct carried the Great Northern Railway's Derbyshire Extension over the River Erewash and its wide, flat valley. What makes this bridge truly unique is the bespoke design by engineer Samuel Abbott, who worked under Richard Johnson, the GNR's chief engineer. Due to extensive coal mining, the ground could not support a traditional masonry viaduct, requiring Abbott to construct a viaduct of 16 spans of wrought iron lattice truss girders, carried on 15 wrought iron piers supported by brick and ashlar bases.

The viaduct spans over a quarter of a mile (400 meters), is 60 feet (18 meters) high, and 26 feet (8 meters) wide between the parapets. After the viaduct was closed to railway traffic in 1968, it fell into disrepair until it was listed as a Grade II* listed building by Historic England in 2004. Thanks to the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct, a group formed in 2013 to campaign for the restoration of the viaduct, Network Rail funded the restoration in 2015. In 2017, the viaduct was reopened to the public.

Today, Bennerley Viaduct is a popular destination for walkers, cyclists, and photographers. It's even been used as a filming location for movies and TV shows, including the BBC TV series "Britain's Hidden Railways". In the episode "The Iron Giant", the viaduct's restoration and reopening were showcased, highlighting its importance in our industrial heritage.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your walking shoes, rent a bike, or bring your camera and head over to Bennerley Viaduct for a fun and educational adventure. Don't forget to snap a photo or two and appreciate the fascinating piece of engineering and history right in front of you.