A former railway bridge on the National Cycle Network in Lancashire that had been closed for five years due to safety concerns, has reopened again, with a more wildlife-friendly and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling path.
Scattering wildflower seeds along a new green strip on the Padiham Greenway will help to create a wildlife-friendly habitat along the bridge. PHOTO: Chris Foster Photography
The local community has scattered wildflower seeds along the River Calder Bridge on the Padiham Greenway in Lancashire, to celebrate its reopening, after a five-year closure.
In June 2021 our engineers decided the bridge was a safety risk and made the difficult decision to close it.
The vertical support (pier) for the bridge, was noticeably sinking into the river, which was causing the arches to collapse.
The bridge connected the east and west sides of the Padiham Greenway, so it severed the two-mile path, which links Padiham with local villages and Burnley town centre.
This affected many people, who use it to walk, wheel or cycle to the park, the shops, local schools and workplaces.
Repairs and improvements
We’ve worked together with our partners Burney Council, National Highways and Active Travel England, the local community, to raise the £900,000 costs to stabilise and repair the bridge, and improve accessibility along the path.
Engineers stabilised the pier by pumping 28 tonnes of grout and 2700 litres of resin into the ground beneath the river bed.
They also made structural repairs, including stitching the arches together with over 400 stainless steel ties, pins and anchors.
Structural repairs on the bridge. PHOTO: Chris Foster Photography
Thanks to a new green strip of vegetation wildlife can now more easily cross over the bridge, and there are bat boxes to help protect bat species.
Our team also laid a new smooth surface along a section of the Greenway.
The route between Memorial Park and Shuttleworth Business Park had been damaged by tree roots, and had become too bumpy for people in wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
There’s now a new accessible surface on the bridge, and the section between Memorial Park and Shuttleworth Business Park. PHOTO: Chris Foster Photography
Danny Morris, Network Development Manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust said: “Thanks to the Mayor and all the community who came along to celebrate the reopening of the River Calder bridge.
“The new improvements now make it much more accessible and welcoming for people using a wheelchair or other mobility aid.
“We’ve planted a mix of wildflower seeds along the bridge which should make a colourful display, and will attract bees, butterflies and birds.
“The green strip will provide welcome cover for small mammals and other wildlife to cross the bridge.”
Tanya Furk-Stephens said: “I’m so happy to have this open again. This side of the greenway is amazing for physical and mental health, with an abundance of nature.
“I’m post-surgery and part of the rehabilitation process is to walk more. This surface feels easy to walk on with a crutch. Since it’s reopened there have been so many more people on the greenway with prams, bikes and wheelchairs.”
Alun Lewis, Mayor of Padiham carried out a sponsored walk as part of the event.
He said: “As a Town Councillor and the Event Director of Padiham Greenway junior parkrun, the closure of the Greenway Bridge has been consistently the topic I get asked about most.
“So many people have worked on making this happen so that our town can once again be reconnected to provide a safe walking and cycling route for leisure and the daily commute. The reopening of the bridge is a great day for Padiham.”
an aerial view of the River Calder Bridge. PHOTO: Chris Foster Photography
Oliver Ryan MP said: "I'm so pleased to see the hard work that's gone into the Padiham Greenway bridge paying off.
"The team has been incredible and it's been great to see people coming together to work on something that's going to have such a positive impact on our local community.
“It's a safe, healthy way to get around Padiham, pop to the shop, and meet up with friends.
“It's been a labour of love, but the end result is worth it!"
Families joined in a free event to celebrate the reopening of the River Calder Bridge and improvements on the greenway. Chris Foster Photography
Thank you to all our partners. Bridge repairs and improvements were funded by Active Travel England and the Shared Prosperity Fund (via Burnley Council) and improvements to the rest of the route were funded by National Highways.
There will be a series of nature-themed events on the Padiham Greenway in the next few months. The next event is on 23rd May 2026. Check social media for updates.
