New bridge will 'open up' community, say residents

Rhys Callow said he would love to go for a walk across the new bridge on his lunch breaks

Residents in part of Nottingham have said a new bridge crossing the River Trent will "open up" their community and make it more connected to the surrounding areas.

The Trent Basin development, which started in 2015, will be linked to Lady Bay in Rushcliffe by the 85m (278ft)-long Waterside Bridge when it is lifted into place next month.

Rhys Callow, 30, who has lived there for two years, said it would help integrate the location to the wider-city, because it was currently surrounded by industrial units.

"It's really going to open up the routes to get to West Bridgford, it'll be really quick to walk there, and to the nature reserve," he said.

The Waterside Bridge will be lifted into place using "the biggest crane in Europe"

But Mr Callow admitted he wanted the area to remain quiet.

"I know when the football and cricket's on, we get a lot of people parking around here, and I do wonder if that's going to increase the footfall when completed," he said.

Martin Shepherd, 64, another resident, said the neighbourhood would benefit from having access to the amenities available across the planned bridge in West Bridgford.

"This is a great development, but it does feel like an island at the moment," he said.

"I think it needs opening up more... and the bridge is clearly a major part of that."

Dahlia Panova said she was "very excited" for the bridge

Dahlia Panova, 30, who has lived in Trent Basin for four years, originally moved up to Nottingham from London.

She lives with her partner, and10-month-old son.

"The nursery we've chosen is actually right across in Lady Bay, so it's going to be much easier to do the morning drop off and pick him up now," she said.

"It took me 45 minutes to just cross the river in the traffic hour, and when the bridge is built we're just going to cycle or run.

"I really think it will open up the community," she added.

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

The Waterside Bridge is expected to be lifted into place on 10 November.

It is due to open in spring 2026, and will be the first new river crossing built in Nottingham since 1958, when Clifton Bridge was erected.

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