Kieran Lee

Community Engagement Officer

Friends of Bennerley Viaduct

Kieran Lee is the Community Engagement Officer for the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct. He has been working on the project to re-open the viaduct since January 2016.

A retired special needs teacher, Kieran has a keen interest in the conservation of the Erewash Valley. As a walker and cyclist, he is keen to see the viaduct re-opened with the community taking a key role in its future management.

His passion for the structure has resulted in his wider appreciation for the nation’s bridges, particularly Iron ones. Last year, he organised and rode the Iron to Iron challenge, a 300 mile long distance cycling route connecting the Meldon Viaduct in Devon with Bennerley Viaduct via the Clifton suspension bridge and Ironbridge.

Kieran intends to develop a northern section linking the Union Chain Bridge nr Berwick on Tweed ) with Bennerley Viaduct to create a national “Pontist” cycling route from Scotland to Devon.

Speaker Sessions

Stream A - Wednesday 9 March 2022

Bennerley Viaduct - from rehab to iron-to-iron challenge

This is the story of a very large wrought iron Victorian railway viaduct that strides across the flood plain of the River Erewash between Derby and Nottingham. This Iron Giant recently experienced a journey that saw it transform from forgotten rusty relic to celebrated and well managed public facility, albeit still rather rusty. This project is characterised by multiple international funding sources, enthusiastic community involvement, prudent spending and sympathetic engineering intervention. With many more disused railway viaducts around the UK, it is hoped that this project might inspire the salvation of similar historic gems.


Kieran Lee , Paul Thomas , Kevin Dentith (CHAIR)

: 14:00-14:25
Kevin Dentith (CHAIR) Paul Thomas

Countdown

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OFFICIAL CHARITY

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Bridges News

The highlight of the bridge engineering year.

Sue Threader, Chief Executive, Rochester Bridge Trust

A great day meeting lots of like-minded people, exploring new innovations and products from exhibitors and listening to some inspiring speakers.

Kevin Dentith, Chief Bridge Engineer, Devon County Council

Excellent networking and knowledge sharing opportunity, everyone who works in bridges should be there!

Liz Kirkham, Network & Strategic Asset Manager, Gloucestershire County Council

Very good conference and excellent networking opportunities.

Paul Tucker, Senior Bridge Engineer & Team Leader, Somerset County Council

Once again a great opportunity to see and hear from market leaders in bridges innovation.

Adrian Worthington, Technical & Design Officer, Wigan Council

The event is always informative, inspiring and relevant - a really good blend of asset owners, researchers, designers and contractors. A must for all bridge engineering professionals!

Phil Raven, Head of Technical Design, Milestone Infrastructure (Oxfordshire Highways)

The event is an opportunity to meet the some main suppliers and service providers in the UK industry
and to gain an understanding of the status quo and the trends in the bridge through the problems faced and solutions found.

Philip Corbett, Concessionaire for the Rion-Antirion Bridge - Greece, GEFYRA SA