Darley Abbey Bridge Meeting
Local MP and councillors were at a meeting in The Shed a few days ago giving residents an update on the bridge closure:
The bridge is itself listed, which would mean it could not simply be removed as it is a heritage asset.
The Victorian ironworks and stones at the foot of the bridge were in the best condition of any part of the bridge, with the concrete and edge beams, dating back to the 1930s, the most badly damaged and "not fit for purpose".
Gas and electricity companies are "monitoring" the state of the bridge to ensure homes can continue to be supplied with electricity and gas.
Repairing the bridge to allow only pedestrians across would cost at least £1 million but Mr Brien said this was a "guess-timate".
Bringing vehicles back onto the bridge would cost at least £3.5 million and possibly up to £5 million.
A temporary bridge across the river for pedestrians could cost a minimum of £500,000 and would not be ready until at least November, with a bailey bridge or pontoon not feasible due to having to comply with Environment Agency regulations and the River Derwent regularly changing in flow.
Lottery funding is something the council is looking at for securing funding for either repairs or a replacement bridge.
The bridge is in such a bad state it could fail and collapse under its own weight.
Residents suggested that ferries could be used to transport visitors, but Mr Brien said that the Canal Trust would need to be involved in any discussions over this.
Residents from nearby Haslams Lane also raised concerns about flooding leaving them stranded if the bridge was closed and Haslams Lane was flooded. Mr Brien said that the Environment Agency had promised to issue alerts earlier, and that residents would only have to wait around 36 hours for the floods to clear.