Heritage hope for Bowstring bridge
Campaigners have announced the next stage in their battle to save a landmark from possible demolition.
Those hoping to save Bowstring Bridge, in Leicester, are to apply to have it listed by English Heritage, which means it would be protected.
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If they are successful, they will apply for grants to amass the £775,000 needed to pay for repairs.
Two previous attempts to get the bridge listed have failed, but campaigners said the bid now has far more public support.
Last week, protestors received a blow after the city council won a legal battle to shut the footpath on the bridge, in the city's West End – seen as the final barrier to its possible destruction.
The council has said it has fears over the bridge's safety, and could now apply to have it taken down.
De Montfort University, which owns part of the land the bridge is on, wants it to be demolished so it can build a swimming pool. It also wants the Pump and Tap pub, which stands on the site, to be demolished.
Lee Mullen is founder of the Save The Pump and Tap and Braunstone Gate Bridge campaign group on social networking website Facebook.
It is one of several groups campaigning for the bridge to be restored, and has 3,000 members.
Mr Mullen said: "Landmarks give a city their identity. Take them away, and you take away their soul.
"Indeed, it could be argued that the Eiffel Tower or Leicester's Guildhall are not necessary, but the idea of destroying them is ridiculous.
"The first stage may have gone the council's way, but people should not lose hope. While it is still there, we will do everything we can."
One of the key tests for getting protected status from English Heritage is the level of public support for a structure.
Protestors believe they have a better chance to list the bridge because more than 10,000 people are backing their campaign through various petitions.
Three of the groups – Leicester Civic Society, Leicestershire Industrial History Society and the Victorian Society – are to meet in the next fortnight to discuss the next step.
In 2005, city council engineers said the former railway bridge could only just support its own weight and would need £775,000 of repairs.
The council agreed in principle to knock the bridge down, but its legal department advised that before that could happen, it needed to apply to have it formally closed as a public right of way. That was achieved by council bosses at the hearing last week.
However, Leicester City Council said there were no plans to demolish the bridge. A spokeswoman said that a council truck had been driving over the bridge and, since it was raised at the hearing, it had found "a conscientious cleaner had been going up there "to clean it and this has now stopped".
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by Ian, Leicester
Wednesday, August 05 2009, 12:47PM
“Leicester City Council has a track record of destroying heritage.
It is unfortunate that they are in league with DMU, an organisation that is destroying the look of the city purely for its own profit.
Both groups treat the citizens with contempt. They need to be made aware that the people of Leicester do care and would like to keep what little heritage we have.
With some imagination and effort, the area could be transformed into a mini Camden Market style area, it could be a wonderfull .”
by Susan, Leicester
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 4:00PM
“DMU have ruined most of the historical city, you can't see the castle or churches anymore due to the big ugly halls buildings.
DMU have too much power over the city.
We don't want any more DMU building, we want the bridge and one of the best pubs in Leicester.”
by Daniel, Leicester
Thursday, October 16 2008, 9:50AM
“Save the bridge - demolish the council! Whatever happened to councils being scared of the public? After all, don't we vote them in and therefore have the power to get rid of them too? Surely with all thats written below and the petitions signed etc, the council wouldn't go through with this, would they? Ah yeah, wait, of course they will, after all they're all just crooks wearing legitimate suits. Shame on you all”
by Steve F, Newport South Wales
Thursday, October 16 2008, 8:23AM
“It is one of those evocative sights and must be preserved! What a heritage and memory for anyone who has at some time or other travelled along Braunstone Gate. I knew I was near to ANBS when the bridge appeared and usually a steam train was travelling over it.
Each time I return home I know I'm in Leicester when I see the bridge.
Let's do everything to keep it and show the council that really local people should be listened to.”
by Colin Wells, Lubenham
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 2:58PM
“The bowstring bridge used to be part of the Great Central Railway main line, and I remember travelling over it hundreds of times from Lutterworth to Leicester in my childhood and youth. Of course the GCR should never have been closed, and one day should be rebuilt through the city. Our railways are now full to bursting and much more capacity is urgently needed. The city councillors are stupid and short sited to allow any of the track bed through the city to be built over. They will regret their neglect of the bowstring bridge and should now carry out any necessary renovation works so that it can remain in use as a footpath/cycleway until it is needed to carry trains once more!
Colin Wells”
by Jonathan, UK
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 1:53PM
“There is plenty of room on the site for a swimming pool without demolishing the bridge or the pub. The bridge could be incorporated into the design, with an entrance into an upper floor of the health club directly from it. Two new units could then be built on Duns Lane either side of the pub, which De Montfort could let out as shops, bars, restaurants, etc. to make more money, if that's what interests them.”
by Jonathan Taylor, Blandford Forum, Dorset.
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 1:45PM
“As a former resident of Leicester, I have seen many changes over the years, not all for the better, we all realise that modernisation is often required, If the campaign to save Bowstring Bridge should fail, can I suggest that as much of it as can be is relocated to another site, on that part of the railway line being use, or restored, by the Steam Rail Trusts, i.e. between Loughborough and Nottingham. I am sure they would be only to glad to give it a new home.
I, of course, hope that my suggestion is never needed and the bridge stays where it is.”
by Stan, Leicester
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 1:24PM
“Leicester Uni and De Montfort Uni should combine forces and build an Olympic standard swimming pool in the city centre. A bit like that blue one in Beijing, now that would be fantastic. So keep the bridge and build it somewhere else.”
by Mrs. P. C. B. Hannagen, Braunstone
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 12:36PM
“I think we should turn it into a massive rave room and just let all the kids party there... oh what jokes!”
by Miss Hayes, Leicester
Wednesday, October 15 2008, 11:08AM
“I agree with Becky. There is enough space where the old union is to build a swimming pool.
I think the Bowstring bridge is beautiful. I remember when I first moved to Leicester we used sit on the bridge and I would love to see it renovated and made a footpath again. If it really was unsafe then the Council would have closed the road that goes underneath it a long time ago!
As for the Pump and Tap... a brilliant pub! Why would anyone want this gone??”