ENGLISH Heritage is asking Cornwall Council for pre-application advice, regarding proposals for a new footbridge at Tintagel Castle.

Following the four consultation events at Tintagel Castle on November 6 and 7, and then, more recently, on December 11 and 12, local opinions have been gathered and members of the public have been able to learn more about the plans to install a new footbridge, which would link the castle’s mainland and island wards.

Following market research, undertaken by BDRC Continental at the request of English Heritage in 2014, it was discovered that many visitors, and even non-visitors, are hesitant to complete the entire Tintagel Castle experience when faced with the vast steps that lead to the island — particularly elderly, very young or disabled visitors.

Of 364 people — made up of visitors to Tintagel Castle and visitors to Tintagel, who perhaps thought about visiting the historic site — 38% of non-visitors said they would visit if the walk to the island were easier to access. A further 45% of non-visitors said it would be highly likely that they would visit the site if the footbridge were in place today. Fifteen per cent of visitors to the site said that they did not make it up to the island when confronted by the steps. It has been reported by English Heritage that during busy periods, the steps can become highly congested, with visitors having to wait for approximately 45 minutes to leave the site.

English Heritage hopes that the prospect of building a footbridge would develop an easier way for visitors to access the island, creating a more enjoyable experience for them. Additionally, it is hoped that the footbridge will allow visitors to learn more about the medieval site, enabling them to have a better understanding of the castle’s history.

As one of English Heritage’s most popular sites, with over 3,000 people turning out a day during the summer months, it is expected that the footbridge will increase visitor numbers to Tintagel Castle.

The pre-application document, submitted to Cornwall?Council, states: “The structure would not only remove physical access barriers and operational deficiencies, but also enhance visitors’ understanding of the castle and the wider early medieval settlement.”

The designers of the bridge, Ney and Partners with William Matthews Associates — having won the commission to design the bridge in March out of 137 international architects and engineers — have already thought about the design of the bridge, taking into account that it would need to be in touch with the surrounding area.

The site is a protected early medieval settlement, and is also considered an area of outstanding natural beauty, a special area of conservation, and is part of the Natural England biodiversity action plan, as well as the Tintagel cliffs being a site of special scientific interest.

Taking this into consideration, the design would have to be balanced with the surrounding landscape, as well at the site’s historic and mythical significance, and would have to protect the surrounding heritage and archaeology, of which Tintagel Castle is rich in.

The bridge, which will consist of two cantilevers at a length of 33 metres each and an overall width of three metres, with a height from 4.5 metres to 170mm in the centre, includes weathering steel, stainless steel, slate and oak as the materials. These materials are hoped to fight against weathering, as well as protecting the surrounding marine environment.

Ney and Partners have said: “Instead of introducing a third element that spans from side to side, we propose two independent cantilevers that reach out and almost touch in the middle. The new bridge will enhance the visitor experience, enabling more people to discover the site and facilitate its understanding.”

English Heritage, on their website, said: “We want to ensure that as many visitors as possible can immerse themselves in its landscape and history, and learn about the myths and legends associated with this important place.”