National Trust finally lodge plans for new Stiffkey bridge

The charity has lodged a pre-planning application with North Norfolk District Council for a new structure to replace the one it pulled down in March 2022, saying it had become unsafe.

That wooden footbridge had been used to cross the salt marshes at Stiffkey for more than half a century and its removal prompted outrage in the village, sparking a row with has pitted locals against the trust.The original footbridge at Stiffkey marshes, which was removed by the National Trust in March 2022 (Image: Martin Sizeland)

Villagers say the crossing was vital to prevent people becoming cut-off by high tides and claim the charity has made the marshes less safe by taking it away.

Some locals - describing themselves as 'marsh fairies' - even took matters into their own hands by building two makeshift bridges out of scaffolding and planks.

The trust swiftly removed the first in what locals described as an “early morning raid” – but the second still stands. 

READ MORE: National Trust call police to investigate 'fairies' building bridges at Norfolk marsh

Ian Curtis, lifelong Stiffkey resident and bridge campaigner, stood on the second makeshift crossing - which still stands (Image: Denise Bradley)

Now, the charity has submitted a pre-planning application to North Norfolk District Council for the new bridge.

It says the “cost-effective” single-span steel bridge will cost around £250,000 and should be built by the end of this autumn.

The bridge will be slightly longer than the previous 20m wooden footbridge, adding clearance at either end to extend its lifespan with future erosion to the creek expected.

READ MORE: National Trust unveils designs for new Stiffkey bridge

Villagers have accused the trust of stalling, but now say it has “no choice” but to rebuild it as the route where the previous bridge was in place is set to become a designated public right of way.

National Trust plans for the new bridge at Stiffkey (Image: National Trust)

National Trust plans for the new bridge at Stiffkey (Image: National Trust)

A National Trust spokesman said: “Since we revealed our concept design for the replacement bridge at Stiffkey in January, we’ve been developing our detailed design and progressing the work we need to do to obtain planning consent.

"We have submitted our pre-application documents to North Norfolk District Council. Once we are confident we have met any concerns the council, or other statutory consultees may have, we will submit a full application and we are currently on track to do this later this spring.”