WALKERS in Trawden will this weekend be able to use a new footbridge, which replaces one that was washed away more than two years ago.

The bridge is part of a footpath near Alderhurst End Farm. It has been closed since the old crossing collapsed into Trawden Brook in a landslide in October 2001.

It is usually used by dozens of visitors, as it passes the popular Lumb Spout waterfall.

The work, organised by Lancashire County Council, has taken more than two years to complete as logistical problems meant engineers needed to build down a sheer drop to make it secure.

The remote location also caused difficulties in getting machinery to the site, as an access route had to be created.

Tom Partridge, Pendle Council's countryside access officer, said: "There have been a lot of problems trying to replace this bridge because it is built on very shaley land and it was difficult to find a way of making it secure.

"It's certainly a well-loved footpath because it passes so many places of natural beauty. Lumb Spout waterfall, which used to attract hundreds of visitors and had its own tea rooms in days gone by.

"Unfortunately, since the bridge was washed away, people have had to use alternative routes which haven't included many of the beauty spots.

"This path had to be closed for safety reasons as the area of the bridge has a sheer drop.

"It was fenced off and notices were displayed, advising people of the closure. The engineers are taking them down now and the path will officially re-open on Friday.

"We hope people will come back and enjoy this route. The replacement is significantly more substantial than the bridge it replaces but it should give many years' service to the public, who enjoy using this attractive path."