'Historic' bridge to be lifted over River Trent

The 85m-long structure will be lifted into place with the aid of "Europe's largest crane"

A "historic" bridge is due to be lifted over the River Trent in Nottingham next month.

The 85m (278ft)-long Waterside Bridge, the city's first river crossing built in more than 65 years, will link the Trent Basin area of the city and Lady Bay in Rushcliffe.

The new pedestrian and cycle bridge is expected to be lifted into place using the "biggest crane in Europe" on 10 November.

People will be able to watch the structure swing into place from "safe public spaces", city councillor Linda Woodings said.

Councillor Linda Woodings said the crane used to lift the bridge would "absolutely dominate" the skyline

Councillor Woodings, executive member for regional development, growth and transport at Nottingham City Council, said: "It's absolutely historic.

"We're at a really exciting stage of the new Waterside Bridge."

She said the bridge would be lifted into place on 10 November, "if winds are low".

"We're going to create some safe public spaces so that people can come and actually see the bridge being lifted into place," she added.

"[What's] as exciting is we're going to have the biggest crane in Europe arrive a few days before that and be constructed on the side of the Trent."

She said a total of 63 lorries will be required to move the crane into place, which will "absolutely dominate the skyline".

The Waterside Bridge will be the first new river crossing built in the city since 1958

The Waterside Bridge will be 4m (13ft)-wide, which will allow both pedestrians and cyclists to use the bridge simultaneously.

Councillor Woodings said the bridge had "all been put together" after it arrived on site in six sections, but added that suspension wires were still being installed.

She warned there will "undoubtedly be disruption" as the bridge is put in place, with the River Trent also being closed during the operation.

The government-funded project has faced delays and increased costs, but it is due to open in spring 2026, making it the first new river crossing built in the city since 1958, when Clifton Bridge was erected.