Reopening the Black Bridge, a key footbridge in the Wye Valley near Lydbrook, is set to cost more than £3 million, according to Gloucestershire County Council. Also known as Stowfield Viaduct, this historic structure serves thousands of walkers annually as part of the 136-mile Wye Valley Walk, linking Gloucestershire with Herefordshire across the River Wye.
The former Ross and Monmouth Railway bridge has faced multiple closures over the past decade, the latest being in 2024 when concerns over the deteriorating decking raised serious safety risks. Initially, Gloucestershire County Council assured the public they were working swiftly to repair the damage and reopen the bridge. However, frustration has grown in the local community following two years without progress.
Villagers staged a large demonstration in March 2024 to demand action, only for the council to announce in April the bridge’s temporary closure had to be extended due to ongoing repairs, including damage caused by a fallen tree. A temporary scaffolding solution had been in place since 2018 but was recently removed, costing £43,000 alongside the removal of the decking.
READ MORE: James Martin’s Health Journey: From ‘Horrific’ Cancer Battle to Life-Changing Surgery
READ MORE: ‘I let Jeremy Clarkson borrow my car for Top Gear - it broke BBC rules’
A temporary repair involving new scaffolding for up to five years was estimated to cost around £600,000, a figure described by officials as “eye-watering” due to the bridge’s complex, historic nature. While officials plan to retain the existing structure, building a new bridge is also under consideration to provide a durable and aesthetically appropriate replacement.
At a recent full council meeting, Reform UK councillor Piers Camp expressed concern over the continued closure, noting that the council leader had previously described reopening the Black Bridge as a top priority for August 2025, with reopening expected by spring 2026 – a deadline that has now passed.
Highways cabinet member Mark Harris responded that the reopening budget has ballooned beyond £3 million, necessitating external funding. The council is actively seeking grants, including an outline bid to the Department for Transport’s structure fund, and is exploring other sources. He added that the bridge is jointly owned by Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Councils, who share maintenance and repair costs equally.
Councillor Camp emphasized the council’s statutory duty to maintain the public right of way the bridge provides, questioning how this responsibility aligns with prolonged closure. Cllr Harris acknowledged the council faces a £15.5 million annual budget shortfall, leading to difficult prioritization decisions. “There isn’t the money to do it at the moment and it’s not high up the priority list compared to other safety issues,” he said.
Green Party councillor Sid Phelps, a long-time campaigner for reopening the bridge, voiced his disappointment. “I welcome a discussion to understand how this eye-watering £3 million figure has been calculated and to explore practical plans with local councillors and residents to restore this vital link rather than rely on wishful thinking,” he said.
When the bridge first closed in 2016, refurbishment costs to secure its future for 50 to 100 years were estimated at around £500,000 by the then Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The current projected costs highlight the growing challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure in rural areas under budget constraints.