Council backs bid to save one of Britain’s most important historic bridges

North Lincolnshire Council is backing an ambitious bid to save Horkstow Suspension Bridge – after a maintenance inspection uncovered shocking structural deterioration.

What was expected to be a routine repair project has transformed into multi-million race to save one of Britain’s most important historic bridges.

The council is supporting the Environment Agency, which owns the Grade II* listed landmark, as it prepares a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to secure the investment needed to restore the bridge and protect it for future generations.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Horkstow Bridge is much more than a crossing. It is an important part of our area’s history and one of the country’s most significant examples of early Victorian engineering.

“When further investigations uncovered the true scale of the structural problems, it became clear this was no longer simply about repairing a bridge. This is about saving a nationally important piece of our heritage.

“We’re pleased to support the Environment Agency as it seeks Heritage Lottery funding. This is exactly the sort of project that deserves national backing, preserving an exceptional piece of engineering while reconnecting communities and creating opportunities for education, heritage and tourism for generations to come.”

When the bridge closed recently, it was hoped a programme of repairs would be enough to reopen it. However, detailed investigations have uncovered extensive hidden deterioration throughout the 190-year-old structure, including movement within its foundations, failing structural elements and significant corrosion.

Engineers have concluded that only a major programme of conservation can secure the bridge’s future.

Without this investment, one of the country’s finest surviving examples of early suspension bridge engineering could be lost.

Leigh Edlin, area director for the Environment Agency Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire area team, said: “We recognise the importance of the bridge and continue to look at delivery options with our partners.

“Protecting people and communities from flooding is our top priority and investment in schemes has to be prioritised where it will make the most difference. We are therefore exploring external funding opportunities for the structure, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

“We recognise the need to ensure a sustainable, long-term future for the bridge. If the funding bid is successful, we would look to establish a ‘Friends of Horkstow Bridge’ group, giving the local community the opportunity to become actively involved in celebrating and protecting one of North Lincolnshire’s most remarkable historic landmarks.”

Designed by renowned civil engineer Sir John Rennie and completed in 1835, Horkstow Suspension Bridge is one of the earliest largely unaltered suspension bridges in Britain and the only known suspension bridge designed by Rennie, who also engineered the original London Bridge. It is recognised nationally for its outstanding engineering and historic significance.

The bridge has connected communities across the River Ancholme for almost 200 years, providing an important route for walkers, cyclists and local residents while forming a distinctive part of North Lincolnshire’s historic landscape.

Alongside specialist conservation work, the plans include heritage interpretation, educational activities with schools, volunteering opportunities, digital resources, improved walking and cycling links, and the creation of a long-term conservation management plan to protect the bridge for future generations.

The bid also aims to establish a ‘Friends of Horkstow Bridge’ group, giving local people the opportunity to become actively involved in celebrating and protecting one of North Lincolnshire’s most remarkable historic landmarks. If you are interested in being part of the group, you can complete an expression of interest form here.

The Environment Agency is preparing an Expression of Interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the aim of submitting a full application later this year. If successful, the project would combine Heritage Lottery funding with contributions from the Environment Agency, Historic England and local authority partners to deliver one of the largest heritage conservation projects ever undertaken in North Lincolnshire.