We are over the moon with the response we have had to our "Bridging the Gap" fundraising appeal. Work towards replacing the Works Bridge at Attenborough Nature Reserve is well underway. Thank you if you have already donated!

Project updates

August 2026

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today issued an update on progress with the replacement of ‘Works Bridge’ and the reopening of a key Public Right of Way through Attenborough Nature Reserve.  

Following the conclusion of complex discussions relating to legal requirements linked to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation last week, the Trust is hopeful that the planning decision will be made within a matter of weeks.  

Speaking about the project, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said: 

“We’re acutely aware that the replacement of the Works Bridge has taken longer than anyone anticipated, but I can assure supporters, visitors and residents that we continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the new bridge is installed as soon as possible if we’re given the green light in terms of planning permission. Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, the bridge is built and ready to be transported. To avoid any further delays, we’re already finalising details for the transportation and traffic management plan and the installation.”   

Whilst recognising that previous delays, such as flooding and the need to agree BNG requirements, have added to frustrations the Trust is delighted with recent progress and excited about the potential of the BNG scheme.   

Paul added: “As the reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, we were determined to develop a Biodiversity Net Gain scheme that not only met our legal obligations but also enhanced the reserve’s wildlife habitats. We also want to take the opportunity to enhance the experience for visitors whilst also delivering good value for our donors and supporters. Thanks to the positive and pragmatic approach taken by all parties, and the efforts of our own team, we feel that's what we’ve achieved.  The area adjacent to the new bridge will see investment in new wetland habitats including reedbed, giving visitors more wildlife watching opportunities from the bridge itself” 

In addition to significant progress with the replacement of the Works Bridge over the past 12 months, the Trust, a registered charity, has completed repairs and renovation of three other bridges across the reserve - which this year celebrates the 60th Anniversary of its opening by Sir David Attenborough in 1966.  

As part of the celebrations, the Trust will be hosting a four-day ‘Wild Weekend’ to coincide with the Bank Holiday from the 28th-31st of August with a range of walks, family activities and opportunities to get closer to nature.  

July 2026

We are currently liaising with Broxtowe Borough Council regarding our planning application to replace the Works Bridge and, with a decision expected by 20th August 2026, we are hoping to report further progress soon. We understand that the ongoing closure of the bridge remains a source of frustration and we are committed to resolving the issue as soon as we are able.

May 2026

We can also confirm that the planning application for the replacement of Works Bridge has now been validated ahead of determination by Broxtowe Borough Council. We stand ready to install the new bridge once planning permission has been secured. We are hopeful that the bridge will be installed in the Autumn after the end of the bird nesting season.  

We recognise that the time taken to replace Works Bridge and to restore Bridleway access has caused considerable frustration. The delays relating to the full planning submission were due to the complexity of delivering our obligations relating to Biodiversity Net Gain requirements whilst ensuring we are able to enhance the value of the reserve's habitat for wildlife and deliver good value for supporters. We are grateful to both Broxtowe Borough Council and Natural England for the positive way they have helped us explore suitable options.  

April 2026

We are pleased to confirm that following further productive consultation with Broxtowe Borough Council we have now submitted our full planning application for the replacement of the Works Bridge.

As detailed previously, the recent delays related to the complexity of delivering our obligations relating to Biodiversity Net Gain whilst enhancing value of the reserve's habitat for wildlife and delivering good value for supporters. 

We recognise that these delays have proved frustrating but believe that time invested in constructive dialogue with both the council and Natural England was vital to give the application the best chance of a timely and positive outcome.

We stand ready to install the new bridge as soon as possible (beyond the bird breeding season) once planning permission is secured.

Feburary 2026

Since outlining delays due to the complexity of agreeing a suitable Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme (a legal requirement as part of the planning process) back in November, we have had a productive meeting with Broxtowe Borough Council and Natural England to agree a way forward.  

We are now finalising details of a BNG Scheme designed to meet our obligations whilst securing the best outcome for wildlife and delivering value for donors, members and supporters.  Our proposed scheme will be submitted along with supporting information including a detailed Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan and details of how we plan to limit the impact of the removal of the existing bridge and installation of the replacement structure on wildlife, our neighbours and visitors.  

We recognise that the time taken to deliver this complex project has caused frustration but remain committed to delivering the project and reinstating Bridleway Access as soon as we can.  

However, in the spirit of transparency, we wish to highlight that due to the time needed for the determination by the Local Planning Authority and importance of protecting the birds on the reserve from disturbance during the breeding season, it is unlikely the bridge replacement works will commence until September at the earliest. Whilst we will take every possible measure to mitigate the impact of transportation and installation on the site, its wildlife, visitors and our neighbours, it would be inappropriate to complete work on this scale on a Site of Special Scientific Interest at the height of the bird breeding season.   

As we hope we have shown with the restoration of Barton Lane Bridge and commitment to renovating the Strand Bridge, where matters are within our control, we will continue to deliver access improvements. As confirmed in November, the replacement for Works Bridge is now built and ready for installation once planning permission is secured. 

Thank you for your support.

November 2025

Following our earlier update that we were preparing technical reports to support our planning application, we can confirm that the required Flood Risk Assessment has been completed. However, we continue to work with relevant authorities to agree a suitable Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. We recognise that this further delay is frustrating to both visitors and residents, but, given the reserve’s status as a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, it is absolutely essential that we secure the right outcome for our reserve’s wildlife and visitors, whilst also ensuring best value for our supporters and donors.

Our positive dialogue with both Broxtowe Borough Council and Natural England is to ensure that we develop the right approach to delivering our legal requirements whilst also ensuring that the outcome is right for this important and much-loved site.

Whilst sharing the frustrations over the time taken to complete this project, and whilst we follow the correct planning process, we are delighted to report that the main bridge structure has now been fabricated by our delivery partner Beaver Bridges – reducing potential for further delays.

Thank you for your support

July 2025

Plans have been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council and following positive and constructive feedback, we're now preparing additional reports requested as part of the planning process. The technical design for the bridge is also progressing well in preparation for fabrication. To keep the project moving forward whilst we work through the planning process, work to prepare the access route required to remove the old bridge and install the replacement is also underway.

March 2025

Following delays due to winter flooding and the discovery of high voltage cables close to the planned route of the replacement bridge by our delivery partner Beaver Bridges, preparations are underway for a further round of ground investigations prior to submitting the planning application.

Since committing to replace the dangerous bridge back in September 2024, the Trust has secured funding to reopen the bridleway; commissioned award-winning Beaver Bridges; completed initial ground investigations and vegetation clearance and carried out a range of technical surveys to check for underground cables, services and other potential hazards.

The discovery of high voltage cables closer to the bridge route than expected required further investigations using ground penetrating RADAR. A further, and hopefully final, round of ground investigations is now planned to inform the final design drawings needed for the planning application.

To keep the project moving the Trust secured permits from Natural England to enable essential work to continue through the spring.

We must replace the existing bridge, including removing old and installing entirely new foundations. We intend to progress final ground preparations and off-site fabrication of the bridge structure as soon as possible.

February 2025

Vegetation clearance in the area in preparation for the new Works Bridge is well underway!

January 2025

Thanks to your amazing fundraising support, along with other funding, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust was able to commission contractors to start work around the bridge.

It began with ground surveying to ensure there were no obstructions when digging commenced.

Once the ground survey was completed and confirmed work could commence, EMEC, our sister ecology company, started work on clearing vegetation ready for when contractors come on site to start further work and can get access to the bridge itself with machinery.