Restoration Work on ‘Collapse-Risk’ Nature Reserve Bridges Set to Begin

This year, repair work is scheduled to commence on bridges located within a nature reserve, which have been closed for the past 10 months. Peterborough City Council (PCC) initiated the closure of three footbridges situated within Cuckoo’s Hollow in Werrington, citing public safety concerns and stating that the structures were “at risk of collapse”. Previously, members of the public conveyed their disappointment regarding the absence of consultation concerning this decision and its anticipated effect on accessibility. A PCC spokesperson announced this week that restoration works, estimated at approximately £1.2m, have been approved, with the bridges anticipated to reopen by April 2025. The bridges at the reserve undergo inspections biennially, and in January, the council reported the discovery of degradation. The inspection indicated that three bridges, specifically those adjacent to Baron Court, Lakeside, and Welbourne, had degraded considerably faster than expected, presenting a risk to public safety. Despite the closure of these structures, the crossing near Camelia Close continued to be accessible to the public. PCC also stated that ecological surveys revealed evidence of water voles. A spokesperson for the authority commented, “Works to disperse them [voles] has recently been completed prior to hibernation season so as not to delay the main construction works.” The spokesperson further stated, “Mobilisation of the site is scheduled to commence on November 25 with the establishment of the site compounds and access arrangements with construction programme to start in December.“ They added, “We are anticipating that the workers will be on site until mid-May 2025.” It was also mentioned that footpaths “approaching the bridges” will be closed throughout this period to “facilitate the removal and installation of the structures”. The spokesperson concluded, “The bridges should be re-opened April 2025, this would be dependent on the progress of the construction works due to the weather.”