Wye Valley Footbridges

Lydbrook Bridge (Stowfield Viaduct)

Lydbrook Bridge, also known as Stowfield Viaduct or Black Bridge, is an eight-span wrought iron railway bridge dating from around 1875. Originally constructed for the Ross & Monmouth Railway, the bridge spans approximately 89 metres and crosses the River Wye, linking Lydbrook in Gloucestershire with Welsh Bicknor in Herefordshire. Today, it forms an important pedestrian route and is a valued part of the area's industrial heritage.

The bridge was closed in 2016 due to its deteriorating condition, with temporary scaffolding and decking installed in 2019 to allow continued public access. However, further deterioration has since occurred and the bridge was closed again in 2024 on safety grounds.

Gloucestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council, as joint owners of the bridge, are exploring options to secure a sustainable long-term future for the structure. While replacing the temporary access arrangements would provide a short-term solution, it would not address the underlying structural issues or extend the bridge's lifespan. The councils are therefore focusing on identifying a permanent solution that balances safety, heritage conservation and value for money.

For safety reasons, the bridge will remain closed until further notice while options are developed and funding opportunities explored. Any future solution will seek to preserve the bridge's important role within the local landscape and active travel network.

Redbrook Bridge

Redbrook Bridge is a five-span wrought iron lattice girder bridge constructed in 1876 for the former Wye Valley Railway. Stretching approximately 96 metres across the River Wye, the bridge connects Gloucestershire with Wales and is Grade II listed in both countries, reflecting its significant historic and architectural importance.

The bridge continues to provide an important walking and cycling route, forming part of the Wye Valley Walk and linking with the nearby Offa's Dyke Path. A cantilever footbridge added during the 1950s remains attached to the structure, although it is now in poor condition and is proposed for removal.

While Redbrook Bridge remains open to the public, the structure is showing signs of deterioration and requires investment to ensure its long-term future. Without intervention, the condition of the bridge is expected to worsen, placing at risk a key active travel connection that is widely used by residents and visitors.

Heritage and Environmental Importance

Both Lydbrook Bridge and Redbrook Bridge are important historic structures within the Wye Valley National Landscape and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They span the River Wye and are located within a highly sensitive environmental setting.

The bridges provide valuable connections for walking, cycling and recreation, supporting sustainable travel and access to the area's internationally recognised landscapes and heritage assets. Maintaining these crossings is important not only for local communities but also for visitors who use the wider network of recreational routes.

Without intervention, Lydbrook Bridge will remain closed and Redbrook Bridge could face a similar future, potentially severing key links within the active travel network. Gloucestershire County Council is therefore working with partners and funding bodies to identify long-term solutions that will protect these historic structures while ensuring they remain safe, accessible and sustainable for future generations.