Less than five years since it was last closed for repairs, one of Ruddington’s railway landmarks is currently undergoing a little more TLC following new safety concerns raised by the increased number of pedestrians who now use it.
‘Fifty Steps Bridge’ over the Great Central Railway line was constructed well over a century ago (circa 1899) and still survives as a functioning footbridge to this day. This is despite the passenger line beneath it becoming a victim of Dr Richard Beeching’s cuts in 1963, and nearby Ruddington Station subsequently being demolished. Goods trains continued to pass along this line until its closure in 1969. Nowadays, of course, this section of track is back in use as a Nottinghamshire tourist attraction, although heritage trains from Ruddington to Loughborough run by volunteers from The Great Central Railway Nottingham (GCRN) have yet to return since ‘lockdown’.
Maintaining this footbridge as a public right of way rests with Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) who took on responsibility for the structure when Rushcliffe Country Park was created. Among the first to contact RUDDINGTON.info about its increasingly dilapidated state was concerned resident Victoria; who last summer sent us worrying photos (above) of rotting steps and dangerously protruding screws. Whilst the more serious, public safety issues were dealt with swiftly by Via East Midlands (ViaEM) on behalf of NCC, general footbridge maintenance and repairs have had to wait until now.
However, the public notice advertising the latest closure of Footpath Number Five – starting Monday 5th February 2024 – was only posted at the weekend; giving pedestrians precious little advance warning of the lengthy detour some residents and walkers are now having to make. Apologising for this late notice, a ViaEM spokesperson explains: “A suitable contractor was only found recently. At short notice the appointed contractor suddenly had a window to undertake the works this week, so our apologies for not having had news of this to be able to update residents in advance!”
Among the schedule of works being undertaken, timber sections and the anti-slip surface on the footbridge are being renewed. Although closure notices have gone up for all of ‘Footpath Number Five’ (photo right courtesy of Jennifer Bonniface) to pre-warn pedestrians, it is only the bridge itself which is inaccessible. Whilst the closure notice is valid up until 25th February 2024, we’re told the contractors are working to get the footbridge repaired and re-opened sooner, if possible.
It was back in 2018 that the Council gave Footpath Number Five. which links the historic footbridge to Vicarage Park, a brand new, all-weather surface. This was not only for the benefit of walkers using it to get the the Country Park but also for the hundreds of residents from the new Pasture Lane housing to walk to our village centre. For most, this footbridge is their shortest way through, meaning its use has increased further.
For the duration its closure, pedestrians from the Pasture Lane estates will need to access our village centre via the Clifton Road footpath instead.
