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by Kirsty Green, Derby Evening Telegraph

A Derby architect has revealed his vision of using carriages as restaurants on an historic city railway bridge.

Historians and residents have for years been calling for the restoration of the 1876 Friar Gate bridge, which has been left to fall into disrepair.

Their calls prompted architect Derek Latham to come up with a £1m vision of how the bridge could be used.

His designs include building fixed railway carriages on the bridge where people can dine. Mr Latham said the project would also involve the complete restoration of the bridge.

Mr Latham, of Latham Architects based in the former St Michael’s Church, Queen Street, said: “The point is to make use of the historic asset so it is worth investing the money to repair and maintain it. The restaurant would be in the form of railway carriages so it would blend in with the bridge and the area.”

Although it is known as one bridge, Friar Gate bridge is actually two bridges running side by side, each carrying two tracks. The carriages would sit on both bridges.

People would access the restaurant through a lobby at one end with a lift from the pavement below. The kitchen would be at the other end, with access from Agard Street.

Mr Latham, whose clients have included the Royal family, said: “This is such a highly visible site of real interest and surely it is worth the £1m needed to repair it.”

Friar Gate bridge was part of the western extension of the Great Northern Railway and opened in 1878.

Residents did not want a railway line going over what was regarded as the best street in Derby, so it was beautifully made to keep the protesters happy.

When the railway line closed in 1967, the Grade II-listed building began to deteriorate. It was eventually sold by British Rail to Derby City Council for a pound.

Over the years, there have been repeated calls for the ornate bridge to be restored.

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County:  Derbyshire

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