HARD-won rights to cross the old iron rail bridge below Lydbrook's cable works are in suspension following its closure by Gloucester County Council's bridge engineer for safety reasons.
And local ramblers are keen to see it repaired as a vital Wye crossing, particularly for hikers using the Youth Hostel at Welsh Bicknor.
"Apparently there are still some differences between Herefordshire and Gloucestershire over the bridge as the county boundary runs right down the middle of the river," said Ramblers footpaths officer Tony Drake.
Mr Drake originally secured the rights to cross the bridge when British Rail threatened to demolish it back in 1972.
"We were lucky to get the rights because when I contacted British Rail they said we had better hurry because they were just about to invite tenders to knock it down!
"To be fair to both the councils concerned they stepped in right away to keep the bridge. I think they only paid a nominal £5 for it but of course a lot of responsibilities came with that.
"As I understand it Herefordshire agreed to look after the legal side with Gloucestershire responsible for maintenance, but it is far from clear – it is still a rather complex situation.
"It is listed as a right of way on Herefordshire's maps but not I believe on Gloucestershire's."
He said the main problem on the bridge was the gap between the railings, where safety netting had been vandalised.
•The bridge at The Stype over Blackpool Bridge at Furnace Valley in Blakeney has been reopened following repairs, the Ramblers have announced.