RESTORATION work to save the longest brick structure in Hampshire has been delayed.

Campaigners had been told that badly-needed repairs to Winchester’s Hockley viaduct would be carried out by September.

In her latest newsletter, Julia Sandison, of the Friends of Hockley Viaduct, said the group was keen to find out why the city council had not begun the work.

“The city council had been hoping to do it some time between April and September,” she said.

“Unfortunately, September has passed and no work has been done.”

Two years ago, the city council approved a £500,000, 12-year improvement programme for the viaduct, which has been deteriorating since tracks were removed in 1966.

A spokesman for the council said: “The works have been delayed while we await the results of various ecological surveys.

“Once the results of this final survey have been received, officers will be able to complete the report and the restoration works will be able to move forward.”

He added that talks between officers and the transport charity, Sustrans, over a cycle path along the viaduct, between the city centre and the new park and ride site, were continuing.

A report on the possibility of creating a mile-and-a-half cycle path is expected to go before the city council’s cabinet by January.