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Saturday, February 8, 2025

Work to check safety of eleven bridges on Teversal and Skegby trails

Ashfield District Council is undertaking work to review the condition of multiple bridges along the scenic Teversal and Skegby Trails.

The project, which commenced in May 2024, aims to address both the structural condition and the ongoing safety of the council-owned infrastructure on these popular nature routes.

The Teversal and Skegby Trails are popular community assets that run along old railway lines, which were historically used to transport goods and passengers across Nottinghamshire.

 

The Skegby line ceased operations in the 1950s, while the Teversal line remained active until 1978. After their closure, the disused railways were adopted by Nottinghamshire County Council as public rights of way and have since transformed into tranquil walking, running, cycling, and horse-riding paths. These nature trails now link various parts of North Nottinghamshire and Derby, providing access to scenic areas and abandoned railway features.

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The trails contain eleven bridges, one tunnel and three watercourses.

The trails contain eleven bridges, one tunnel and three watercourses, all previously owned by the Great Northern Railway before being transferred to Sutton Urban District Council and later to Ashfield District Council in 1974. Despite limited historical documentation on these assets, Ashfield District Council, with the help of their legal team, has recently confirmed ownership of all assets along the trails.

 

A project led by the council’s Neighbourhood Services, launched in May 2024, focuses on reviewing the current condition of fifteen assets across the trails. Three bridges, highlighted as priorities, underwent initial structural surveys, revealing issues necessitating immediate action to ensure user safety.

Consequently, Ashfield District Council, in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council, issued a closure notice for a section of the Teversal Trail in April 2024. This closure was extended to October and is expected to be prolonged further until temporary safety measures or replacements can be implemented.

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To prevent health and safety risks, temporary repairs to bridges numbered 2 and 8 are currently being explored. The planned temporary fixes aim to alleviate public disruption while allowing continued use of these trails, which are popular for both residents and visitors.

 

This current phase of the project involves the procurement of structural surveys for the twelve remaining assets, planned to commence in November 2024, with analysis concluding by December. With this information, a report will be prepared for the council’s Cabinet, outlining recommendations for the future of the assets and presenting an options appraisal that will help determine whether repairs, replacements, or other interventions are required.

The council has also outlined intentions to pursue external funding opportunities to support these repairs. This will be carried out in consultation with Nottinghamshire County Council, with discussions planned for later this year to explore potential cooperation.

 

The project places emphasis on effective community communication, particularly concerning the temporary closures and planned surveying activities that may affect access to the trails. The council’s communications team is tasked with ensuring timely updates for landowners, residents, and the general public.

In line with the council’s “Cleaner and Greener” priority, all surveying and maintenance will be conducted with regard to the environmental and ecological conditions of the assets. The council aims to maintain these public spaces as valuable natural resources for leisure and wellness, while also safeguarding public safety.

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