A Peak District footbridge river crossing, hailed as a lifeline to locals, walkers and climbers has been replaced thanks to Lifespan Structures.

A huge fundraising effort by local community residents, substantial support from the Peak District National Park Authority and its official charity partner, the Peak District National Park Foundation along with the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) ‘Mend our Mountains’ scheme raised almost £190,000 to enable the project to be completed. Additional funding was also made available from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, led by the National Park Authority, to support local access projects. Representatives of all the groups involved in fundraising were among the first to cross the new bridge during an official opening event in December 2024.

The original 20m bridge - across the River Wye - was closed in 2020 after it fell into disrepair and was structurally condemned as unsafe to use. It had been installed by the military in the 1980s and became a popular access point for the local community and visitors. Its closure prompted local organisations to raise awareness and start fundraising for its reinstatement.

The new Lifespan FRP bridge once more connects the Monsal Trail with Cressbrook and the wider countryside and allows for circular walks along the River Wye and through the impressive scenery of Water-cum-Jolly. The challenging nature of the site and the size of the required bridge lead to a complex logistical challenge for the Lifespan Structures team to ensure the safe removal of the old, failed bridge & the delivery, lifting into position of the new FRP bridge with a 100T crane.

Lifespan Structures secured the contract to design and supply the FRP bridge of span 21m x 1.2m wide with approximately 26,000 RPET plastic bottles being recycled and used in the manufacture of the structural core of the new bridge. The new, state-of-the-art FRP bridge structure has a lifespan of 120 years, with relatively minimal regular maintenance required to the hardwood Sapele parapets.

Phil Mulligan, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority said: "This is a day to celebrate for those who enjoy exploring this wonderful dale and the neighbouring Monsal Trail route. To see such an innovative and sustainable structure in place in the National Park makes it worth the wait; especially for those groups and generous individuals who contributed to the fundraising efforts. This modest but much-loved crossing will now have a remarkable, multi-generational lifespan and my thanks to all those involved for making it happen."