Villagers at war with National Trust over makeshift bridge: Group dubbed the ‘Bridge Fairies’ claim charity is using health and safety as an excuse to stop ‘ancient right of way’ onto Norfolk marshes

• A group calling themselves the ‘Bridge Fairies’ have built a temporary crossing

A furious row has been reignited between villagers and the National Trust over a makeshift bridge as locals argue they are being blocked from accessing a tranquil island. 

The National Trust tore down a footbridge at Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk, in March 2022 due to safety concerns and claim a new foot-crossing will cost a quarter of a million pounds.

But a group calling themselves the ‘Bridge Fairies’ have since built a temporary crossing onto the 35-acres of marshland at Stiffkey, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The new makeshift bridge was built for just a few pounds by villagers using scaffolding and planks, who argue the Trust is trying to block them from an ancient right of way onto the marshes that has been used for centuries. 

Their defiant action followed the removal of the ‘official’ bridge but Trust officials claim that the ‘fairy bridges’ are ‘unauthorised, dangerous and unlicensed’, describe them as ‘structurally unsafe’ – and has pledged to remove them.

The National Trust tore down a footbridge at Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk, in March 2022 due to safety concerns

Since then, a new makeshift bridge has been built for just a few pounds by villagers using scaffolding and planks

Campaigner Ian Curtis, who has lived in the village all his life, said: ‘There is an ancient right of way onto the marshes but the National Trust are using safety risks as an excuse to stop people going there.

‘They claim there is no public right of way but it has been used for centuries and I am going to put in a formal application to make it a footpath.

‘There is now a Facebook page in the village in support of ensuring there is a crossing to the marshes. But there are concerns about how long it could take the Trust to take any action.

‘People who go for a walk have found themselves cut off and had to be rescued by inshore lifeboat. But a bridge means people can always get off the marshes.

‘The £250,000 quote for a simple bridge is ludicrous – I have got a quote for a suitable crossing for £20,000.

‘The bridge fairies have done a good job – the Trust tore down the first one and took it away on a trailer. But the new one is much more substantial.’

The National Trust said they understand the removal of Stiffkey Bridge is a cause for concern for the local community. 

They said they are looking to improve access as soon as they practically can.

‘Due to coastal erosion, we had previously repaired and extended the bridge at Stiffkey,’ a spokesperson told MailOnline. ‘We had hoped it would be possible to continue with this course of action.

‘However, further widening of the channel and the age and condition of the bridge meant that our only option was to remove it on safety grounds following specialist advice. 

Campaigner Ian Curtis, who has lived in the village all his life, said: ‘There is an ancient right of way onto the marshes but the National Trust are using safety risks as an excuse to stop people going there’

A group calling themselves the ‘Bridge Fairies’ say they built the temporary crossing onto the 35-acres of marshland at Stiffkey on the North Norfolk coast

‘We are progressing with our plan to replace the bridge in 2024 and following approval from Natural England, are currently carrying out surveys that will inform the design and foundations of the new bridge, which will move us closer to submitting a formal planning application.

‘What makes this project complex is the multiple ownership, multiple designations, multiple permissions and the construction regulations we need to follow to ensure that we build a bridge that’s legally compliant, robust, safe and suitable for this inter-tidal coastal location.’

The charity claims to have already put aside £20,000 in fees and surveys before they then submit a formal planning application for a new bridge to the local council.

The Trust say they are aware another unauthorised bridge has been built at Stiffkey and say it is down to the Crown Estate, who own the creek, and Natural England who lease the creek from the Crown, regarding their next steps.

They advise people walking in the area to avoid using the current ‘unauthorised’ bridge for their own safety and to not rely on it as a means of escape from the saltmarsh at high tide. 

Read more: The man who gave us Stonehenge: How wealthy lawyer bought Neolithic monument for £6,600 before bequeathing it to Britain on this day in 1918…on condition it wouldn’t cost more than a shilling to visit (but now costs £21!)

A parish council spokesman said: ‘The National Trust seem to be dragging their heels over the bridge – they haven’t even put in for planning permission yet and they have given us no meaningful reason for the delay.

‘Whatever the cost of a new bridge, the chance of getting someone stranded out on the marshes with no crossing to get them to safety is not a price worth paying.

‘The marsh is a site of special scientific interests but since the bridge was removed visitors have been trampling all over the place disturbing wildlife and damaging the marsh as they try to get to the beach.’

MP Mr Baker said: ‘The need for the bridge to be replaced urgently cannot be overstated. It is simply dangerous for people to be cut off by rising tides and we must have the bridge back as soon as possible.

‘All I have been told is that it is likely to be back in Spring next year and I want to ensure that happens. We cannot be without it for another year.’

A spokesman for the National Trust added: ‘The bridge was removed last year on safety grounds because of coastal erosion and the widening of the channel, after specialist advice from a structural engineer.

‘We had to decide if replacement was the right option and paused work to review the situation – and weigh up the cost, the impact on wildlife in a protected area, sustainability in the face of sea level rise and the provision of access.

‘Due to the tidal environment we felt we should replace the bridge on health and safety grounds, though we still need to get planning permission and explore funding options.’

‘Stiffkey is one of the biggest areas of saltmarsh in Europe and we have a responsibility to the wildlife that lives on the marsh which can be affected by footfall and disturbance. We have to balance access for people with conservation.’

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