Construction of new bridge to begin within weeks

Funding for the long-awaited bridge has now been confirmed

Work on a new pedestrian and cycle bridge in Nottingham will begin within weeks, it has been confirmed.

The 85m-long bridge, linking the Trent Basin area in Nottingham with Lady Bay in Rushcliffe, is set to become the first new river crossing built in the city since the 1950s.

The project has faced repeated delays and increased costs, and the city council said in October that funding had not yet been secured.

In an update issued on Wednesday, the authority said it had now received confirmation from central government and signed contracts with developers Balfour Beatty.

A "huge crane" will lift the bridge into place in November

The first stage, scheduled to start in the coming weeks, will involve the demolition of a warehouse formerly used by Flo Skatepark.

The bridge will then be built at the site throughout the summer and autumn before being lifted into place by a "huge" crane in November.

Further work on ramps, steps, paving and lighting will then take place over the winter before the bridge opens to the public in spring 2026.

A council report published in October said the project could cost up to £18m - nearly double the original £9.275m price tag.

The latest update says the contract with Balfour Beatty is worth £12.6m.

It is being paid for by the government's Transforming Cities Fund, which awarded £161m for various projects in 2019 as part of a joint bid from Nottingham and Derby.

Some elements of the wider scheme were scrapped and the money reallocated to others which have seen costs increase, such as the new bridge.

The bridge is due to open in spring 2026

Nottingham City Council leader Neghat Khan said she was "delighted" the work could now start.

"Once completed, the bridge will enhance Nottingham's cycling and pedestrian network, providing a safe, traffic-free route over the river and empowering more people to travel sustainably and healthily," she said.

Rushcliffe Borough Council leader Neil Clarke said it was "another milestone" for the project.

"Creating this new link for cyclists and pedestrians will create easier access to nearby open spaces in Lady Bay and West Bridgford and our local sports grounds and leisure facilities, encouraging more people to make lower carbon journeys," he said.

The city council said it expected more than 100 people would be employed during the project, including four apprentices.