JUST days after celebrating the signing of a lease to get access to the Derwent Valley Line it has been discovered a bridge on the track near Westerway has been destroyed by an arson attack.

The Derwent Valley Railway Preservation Society said the infrastructure was critical to the line being one day reopened and will now it would have to be replaced at significant cost.

“Remember if you do witness any suspicious activity within the rail corridor contact Tasmania Police and notify TasRail immediately,’’ a spokesperson said.

If you have any information in relation to this specific incident please contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.

In late December the volunteer rail enthusiasts signed the lease after years of planning and lobbying. The Derwent Valley heritage rail was excluded from the state rail system in 2006.

Ever since the group of dedicated volunteers have worked hard to refurbish locomotives and rail heritage.

The lease will enable the group to work on refurbishing the first section from Third Avenue and Back River Rd, in New Norfolk, and allow it to be connected to the DVR yard and workshop.