Plans have been submitted to turn Bennerley Viaduct into a public footpath for walkers and cyclists.
The disused railway viaduct, which is a Grade II listed structure dating back to 1877, straddles the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border between Awsworth and Ilkeston.
Now, plans have been submitted to revamp the iconic monument with a new walkway after securing £485,000 in funding.
Railway Paths Ltd (RPL) and the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (FoBV) made a joint announcement in March 2019 stating they had secured the money which was enough to start work in transforming the landmark.
RPL have estimated the project will take 18 months and aim for the work to be completed by the end of 2020.
The plans include new decking, ramps at either end and connections to surrounding paths "in order to bring the viaduct to life."
In the Design and Access Statement, which was submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council, the RPL said: "It has long been an aspiration of RPL and Sustrans, as well as the local community, to bring Bennerley Viaduct into public use for walking as well as for cycling.
"However, to enable this, a new deck surface, ramps at each end and connections to the surrounding path network as well as a variety of repairs, are required.
"By bringing the viaduct into use for public access it will give this valuable heritage asset a more certain future as doing so will attract resources for its ongoing upkeep and conservation.
"Making the viaduct accessible for the public will give it a new use and purpose which may enable it to be removed from the 'Heritage at Risk' register.
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"The proposed works will bring substantial benefits to the community, particularly to the residents of Cotmanhay and Awsworth to the immediate west and east of the viaduct. It will also benefit the residents of the larger community of Ilkeston and Eastwood.
"Because the viaduct is isolated and in a disused state it attracts anti-social behaviour including vandalism and as a result negative perceptions of the site have developed."
Jeff Wynch, the chair of Friends of Bennerley Viaduct previously told Nottinghamshire Live that the project would "bring in more visitors and become an iconic focal point."
The proposed plans over Bennerley Viaduct will create a link between the Nottingham Canal path and the Erewash Canal path while the plans for underneath the viaduct will connect the Nottingham Canal path with the public footpath.
The bridge, standing at 60 feet high, closed in 1968 and was earmarked for demolition but its iron construction made it expensive to dismantle.
It is one of only two wrought iron trestle viaducts left standing in the UK.
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