Work begins to fix Cuckoo's Hollow Bridges in Werrington - after water voles found at the site

Work has started to repair bridges at Cuckoos Hollow in Werrington – nearly a year after they were closed.

Three footbridges were shut at the Werrington beauty spot in January, after health and safety concerns were raised.

Funding of £600,000 has been made available by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to make the repairs.

Now works have started – after the appearance of Water Voles in the area – and it is hoped the bridges will be re-opened in spring next year.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “Preparation works have started at Cuckoos Hollow. During the standard ecological surveys evidence of Water Voles were found. Works to disperse them has recently been completed prior to hibernation season so as not to delay the main construction works.

"Mobilisation of the site is scheduled to commence on November 25 with the establishment of the site compounds and access arrangements with construction programmed to start in December.

“We are anticipating that the works will be on site until mid-may 2025. During this time, we will need to close footpaths approaching the bridges to faciliate the removal and installation of the structures. The estimated cost for the works is just over £1.2

million.

“The bridges should be re-opened April 2025, this would be dependent on the progress of the construction works due to the weather.”

Peterborough City Council closed the bridges between Werrington and Gunthorpe - adjacent to Baron Court, Lakeside and Welbourne after inspections revealed dangers due to a sudden deterioration of the structures.

The bridges were closed to the public on January 8 and council chiefs warned they would remain shut for the foreseeable future while the structures were replaced.

The move sparked anger among residents and councillors who were angry at the lack of consultation over the closures and the inconvenience caused.

Then Peterborough MP Paul Bristow even called on the bridges to be re-opened in March, saying: “"Common sense would have suggested that the council close just one bridge at a time.”