TINTAGEL Castle will be closed over autumn and winter as a huge project rolls out.

Construction is to begin this autumn to place a footbridge across the site at Tintagel Castle. Work will start in October, with the English Heritage site being closed until spring, when it is expected a brand new footbridge will be revealed to the public.

The footbridge, designed by Ney and Partners Civil Engineers and William Matthews Associates, is to ‘reconnect Tintagel’s divided landscape’ after natural chasm has split the site in two, with 148 steps to the island being the only way to get there.

Once the site closes in October, a cable crane will allow contractors to lift equipment into place and get started on the work, meaning there will be no need for scaffolding. The plans were originally met with much opposition, including from county-based organisations such as Kernow Matters.

When plans first began to unfold in 2015, an international competition was launched to find the perfect design — ultimately won by Ney and Partners and William Matthews Associates out of 137 entries. The design is hoped to improve access and the management of visitors, particularly during peak busy periods.

The site will be closed from October 1, and is due to reopen in spring 2019.