The Bennerley Viaduct used to carry the Great Northern Railway line between Derby and Nottingham, over the Erewash valley near Ilkeston. It was bought by Sustrans for £1 some years ago. It is of wrought iron construction, similar to the Meldon Viaduct in Devon (which is on the Devon C2C cycleway). There is a plan to renovate this bridge and make it part of a new cycleway; possibly even to turn it into a mecca for cyclists by one day adding hostels, tea rooms, a pub? Work has already begun and future developments will depend on sponsorship and awards from charity. Kieran Lee is the project manager.
I have just heard about a ride led by Ian Dent of the Sustrans ranger group. It will leave Derby Market Square at 10:00 on 2 November and follow Route 6 to Long Eaton before turning up the Erewash Valley Trail to Cotmanhay, arriving at around noon. We will be given a tour of the viaduct by Kieran, followed by lunch at the nearby Bridge pub. The return will be via Route 672 the Great Northern Greenway (I think). More details may appear here later, if I find out more. Do come along - it will be great meeting up with old friends!
NB This is not a Sustrans-organized ride for the public and everyone takes part at their own risk.
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