In the late 1800s, when trying to move the cannon, it was accidently dropped when it was
swung out above the drawbridge. This resulted in the old
wooden drawbridge being reduced to matchwood.
The innovative Victorians replaced the bridge with a railway carriage which was just the right length to span the moat. This remained in place until the 1930s when a new access was made on the eastern side of the tower over the new decking covering the southern side of the moat.
However this entrance now has very narrow, steep steps which are imposible for wheelchair access.
A new bridge is to be built across the moat in place of the drawbridge to the original entrance door on the north of the tower.
In addition to the external work on the bridge, there will be a major task inside the tower to fit a lift going down to the lower level. In this way, wheelchair access will be available to all areas in the museum. Several alterations are still in planning to install ramps where there are steps in the lower level.
The many months of negotiations over plans, modified plans and even
more plans have finally resulted in a design with the result that
Scheduled Ancient Monument and Listed Building Consents were granted
in September 2013.
This expensive project is financed mainly by the Keith Baker Memorial Will Trust Charity. Extra funding will be necessary to complete the project and the Heritage Lottery Fund has been approached.