A meeting held at Awsworth Village Hall on January 29 gave members a clear picture of the issues affecting the project and outlined the plans for repair, re-design and completion.
It was also an opportunity to share news about progress on the visitor centre and car park
Project manager Spencer Davey, of Davey Stone Associates, explained that the ramp was nearing completion in June 2024 when a crack appeared.
He said: "At first the crack was thought to be caused by settlement, which is relatively common and not necessarily serious.
"Work was suspended for a number of weeks to allow the settlement to run its course.
"The contractors then carried out repairs and continued building.
"In autumn a second split appeared which was identified by geotechnical engineers as slippage of a body of material away from the rest of the earthwork.
"Slippage compromises the integrity and therefore the safety of a structure."
The meeting heard that FoBV, Broxtowe Council and the contractors have commissioned independent geotechnical consultants to carry out further investigations, identify the problem and design a solution.
This process will take about 12 weeks, with another four needed for building work.
The hope is that the ramp and the visitor centre can be opened to the public in the summer.
This will mean a triple celebration as the FoBV will be 10 years-old in June.
Members also heard that good progress continues on the visitor centre and car park.
Mr Davey told the meeting that he was happy with the work being carried out by Marlows, the contractors, and that the project was on schedule.
The car park will accommodate 24 vehicles and will have two EV charging points.
Access will be via the entrance road off Shilo Way at Naphtha Kennels and will continue past the car park to service the planned business starter units to be built by Broxtowe Council as part of the Kimberley Means Business project.
Ron Yee, a trustee of the FoBV, has designed a pedestrian bridge to cross the River Erewash where it flows under the western end of the viaduct.
It will replace a bridge which was recently condemned as unsafe.
The bridge will be made of timber treated with fire retardant and will restore access from the western end to the nature area underneath the viaduct.
A planning application will be submitted soon to Erewash Council.
FoBV have begun a fundraising campaign and hope to have the bridge open by the end of the year.
A model of the proposed bridge is available to view in FoBV’s office at Castledine House on Heanor Road. Ilkeston.
Any questions about the above projects, plans and fundraising should be sent to info@bennerleyviaduct.org.uk