Northumberland County Council is preparing to make its second funding bid as part of its effort to restore one of the county’s historic bridges.

Built in 1820, the Union Chain Bridge is the oldest operational suspension bridge in the world still carrying vehicles.

In March 2018, the county council, along with a number of other groups, secured a £360,000 development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

The council is now preparing to make a second funding bid in May to the lottery fund in order to secure more support for the £7.3m project.

‘The NLHF bid process is extremely competitive,’ said Cllr Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services with Northumberland CC.

‘We have two years in which to submit a round two bid and over the past 10 months we have been working tirelessly to develop the project to a very advanced stage.

‘It really has highlighted the close working between ourselves, Museums Northumberland, the Friends of Union Chain Bridge and our colleagues in Scottish Borders Council - making it a very exciting and substantial cross-border, cross-council venture - possibly the first of its kind.

‘We are confident that by May we will have developed the strongest bid possible for submission to the next round, so we can secure the funds needed to deliver this ambitious and exciting project.’

Robbie Hunter, chair of the Friends of Union Chain Bridge, said: ‘We are grateful for all of the hard work that has been undertaken by the project team and we all remain committed to securing the long term future of this amazing bridge.

‘It is fitting that the bid for round two funding will now be submitted just before the 200th anniversary of the laying of the original foundation stone for the bridge’s construction—with the bid marking the foundation for the proposed comprehensive conservation works that will safeguard the bridge as a vehicle crossing for at least a further 120 years.’

Photo: ©tormentor4555