Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has recently received a number of enquiries regarding the seeming lack of progress with resolving the access issues relating to the public right of way over Works Bridge. 

Back in April, a safety inspection commissioned as part of our commitment to look after the reserve and its access infrastructure found serious structural failings and the bridge as deemed unsafe and beyond repair. These findings came as a shock to the Trust given that we had worked to ensure that the previous owners, CEMEX, commissioned repairs and reopened the structure following a lengthy closure in 2019. We bought the site in December 2020 in good faith on the understanding that the bridge was fit for purpose following these repairs.   

We recognise and are sorry  that the unexpected closure of the bridge has caused further disruption to residents and visitors – but our priority must be public safety.   

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is committed to fully reopening the public footpath and bridleway but due to the scale and complexity of the work involved this is not something we can achieve quickly.  

Since the tremendous response to our 2019 appeal to purchase and care for the reserve, the Trust has continued to invest in significant new habitat creation and interpretation and upgrades to the visitor facilities in addition to carrying out ongoing management. Last month we also announced a major new project backed by Natural England designed to help us bring water voles back from the brink of extinction in Notts – including at Attenborough Nature Reserve. This has all been made possible thanks to the generosity of our members, donors and regular visitors despite the significant financial challenges presented by the pandemic, cost of living crisis and avian flu since we acquired the reserve – but we now face a new challenge.  

Overhauling bridges and access infrastructure across the reserve is a massive undertaking and is very much a live project for the Trust with a project team including our Chief Executive and a board member, alongside other members of our Senior Leadership Team. Professional estimates to replace the Works Bridge suggest we will need to raise in the region of £500,000 to cover all associated costs. As a charity it is essential that we deliver the access infrastructure in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. 

We are committed to providing access to nature and recognise the value of connection with nature in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. Whilst we recognise that the lack of a definite timetable for the reopening of the public right of way remains a source of frustration, we hope that awareness of the scale of the investment required helps explain the lack of a firm timescale.  

The Trust is actively seeking to identify sources of funding to help resolve the Works Bridge issue and the wider investment required to overhaul access infrastructure across the reserve. In the meantime, anyone wishing to support our ongoing management of the site for wildlife and people can do so via membership, donations and volunteering.