Stiffkey villagers will get another chance to have their voices heard by the National Trust in their ongoing fight to rebuild a bridge over the marshes.

The organisation controversially removed a 20-metre wooden structure over the nearby marshes in March last year, promising to rebuild it at a cost of £250,000. 

North Norfolk News: The old Stiffkey bridge, removed last year after being deemed structurally unsafeThe old Stiffkey bridge, removed last year after being deemed structurally unsafe (Image: Justin Minns))

But locals are still waiting for a replacement, which the Trust has said will only be built in autumn 2024 at the earliest - more than two-and-a-half years after the original bridge came down.

Villagers say the removal of the bridge has increased the risks of walkers getting cut off by high tides and a temporary crossing appeared on the marshes in July.

The builders were never identified and locals said 'bridge fairies' were responsible.

However, the National Trust was not impressed and the structure was removed by officials. 

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North Norfolk News: Ian Curtis, lifelong Stiffkey local and bridge campaigner, on the 'fairy bridge' over the marshIan Curtis, lifelong Stiffkey local and bridge campaigner, on the 'fairy bridge' over the marsh (Image: Denise Bradley)

But it only inspired the fairies to sprinkle more of their magic over the marshes, and a second creek crossing appeared - leading to the National Trust asking the police to investigate.

The pressure was ramped up again last month when North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker called on the Trust to make public a report detailing its reasons for removing the original bridge, which he said remains "shrouded in mystery". 

Now, an independent structural engineer from the National Trust will attend a Stiffkey Parish Council meeting at the village hall on November 27, at 7pm, to answer questions from locals. 

Ian Curtis, a lifelong Stiffkey resident and bridge campaigner, has said the fight will go on.

"As far as getting a bridge built we're no further forward than we were when they took it down," he said.

"We're not going to give up until the bridge is up."

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North Norfolk News: Ian Curtis, Stiffkey resident and bridge campaigner, with the sign put up by the National Trust at the 'fairy bridge'Ian Curtis, Stiffkey resident and bridge campaigner, with the sign put up by the National Trust at the 'fairy bridge' (Image: Denise Bradley)

The National Trust provided an update on its website in recent days which said: "We’re continuing to progress with the project to replace the bridge and this month we completed our ground investigation and topographical surveys.

"The design team is now in a position where they can determine what’s best in terms of design and foundations for the new bridge. We are expecting initial designs before Christmas."