The Victorian suspension bridge located over rail lines close to Whitchurch Station is a listed structure and an unusual design of the period. The principal supporting trestles and deck are of timber construction with the suspended catenary and deck supports of wrought iron.

The footbridge was closed in 1998 as it was considered unsafe due to severe rot in the timber trestles and extensive corrosion of the wrought iron members. Railtrack was obliged to restore the structure and, in consultation with English Heritage, the bridge was dismantled, refurbished and new hardwood timber trestles were manufactured for the re-erection.

The dismantling and subsequent re-erection of the refurbished structure during possessions of the rail track involved careful consideration of the temporary stability of the bridge to ensure the integrity of the bridge and safety of the railway were not compromised.