About
In recent years the last part of the footpath that went over the
bridge was rerouted alongside the old River Soar because of fears
over the safety of the bridge.
The Leicester city council at this present time say a figure far in
excess of £2million is needed to restore this bridge to its original
specification.Having seen the councils own 1996 report on the bridge
(hope to publish this in pdf format soon)we feel because the
original bridge would have had a safety loading factor built in of
around 5 to 1(lets not forget this bridge design had to take into
account that a pair of passing Locomotives could be on the bridge at
the same time)that even with the passage of time and degradation of
the structure the bridge is still basically sound but does need some
upgrading .With this in mind we feel a more reserved and less costly
restoration would suffice.
This bridge is a landmark in this part of Leicester and local people
see it as such when they go about there daily business and eat or
drink in the many places around Braunstone gate and Narborough rd
and it would be a sad day if it was demolished.
We want to save this bridge from demolition by restoring the bridge
and the ground space either side of the bridge.It could be used for
a restaurant and or art/craft galleries where the local student
population from the university and college can show their artwork
etc.have a drink and relax.
We envisage possibly relaying a length of track and putting old
rolling stock rail carriages /restaurant and dining cars on the land
or building structures that look like railway carriages on the
bridge for the people of Leicester to use and enjoy.This would be a
magnet for visitors to the area and draw in more customers for local
businesses.
How can we possibly raise so much money? Well you can donate by
getting in touch via our email address and we soon hope to have a
SMS text service where you can donate £1 by text. 65pence would
automatically go to the bridge fund. Watch this space and we will
show you what you can do to help.
Consider this, what would this area look like without this
marvellous structure .
Then imagine if it was saved , restored and developed, lit up at
night with people wining and dining in the open air with some music
playing.What a great attraction to the area that would be.
Thank you so much for your visit and please pass on this website
address to other like minded friends..
www.save-bowstringbridge.co.uk
The builders of this bridge were proud of what they achieved and we
owe it to them to save this bridge from the scrap heap and look
after it.