Councillors paid a visit to Ashburton’s historic rail footbridge this week, to see first-hand how the 105-year-old structure is faring.

They will discuss a conservation management plan for the bridge early next year and consider how restoration work could be funded.

A possible source of funding is KiwiRail, which supports a rail heritage trust that could help cover some of the work; the trust encourages people to preserve and restore New Zealand’s rail buildings and equipment.

The 25m bridge crosses the main South Island railway tracks at Wills Street and was built in 1917 as part of the railway station complex. The station was demolished in 2013.

It features a bowstring design and is the only one of its type in its original location serving its original purpose. Over the years, only one of the original access ramps has been removed.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said a report about the restoration and funding options was being prepared and it was good for Councillors to see the footbridge up close.

“It has a special place in Ashburton’s history but is in need of some attention. That work has to be carried out in a way that preserves its heritage status.”

Heritage New Zealand lists the bridge as a category II historic place, and Council lists it as a category A heritage item in the District Plan.

The main trunk line reached Ashburton in 1874, but a proper station was only built 40 years later. A wooden footbridge was built in 1911 to connect Cameron Street, and the new iron Wills Street footbridge at Wills Street built in 1917.

The popularity of rail began to decline in the 1970s and the station was eventually closed and sold to private owners. ONTRACK, who owned the railway at the time, gifted the footbridge to Council in the mid-2000s.