Preston's Old Tram Bridge £6.6m design revealed

The suspension-type design is "the most practical and attractive" of three styles considered, the councils said

Designs for a bridge that will replace a historic river crossing have been revealed.

The 200-year-old bridge linking Avenham Park and Penwortham was closed in 2019 as it was at risk of collapse.

The suspension-type design is "the most practical and attractive" of three styles considered, Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council said.

It is hoped the £6.6m project will be opened in spring 2025.

The councils had intended to carry out a public engagement exercise on the three options, but the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that the plan was changed when it became clear two of them could not be delivered.

One of the rejected options would have been unsafe in the event of a flood.

It is hoped the £6.6m project will be opened in spring 2025

The aim now is to have the new bridge opened next spring - as dictated by the rules of the government's Levelling Up Fund, which is covering the cost.

A campaign was launched to either repair or replace the cross-river route in its original form, with 3,000 people signing a petition calling for its reinstatement.

But funding was difficult to find until the project was added to those that Preston City Council put forward for Levelling Up Fund cash.

Glenn Cookson, from the Friends of Old Tram Bridge, told the LDRS it was "unfortunate that the community wasn't able to participate in a consultation for the final bridge design".

"However, given the essence of time, [since] the project needs to be completed by March 2025, we are really pleased that a replacement bridge has finally been selected and it would seem that the project is on plan to be delivered.

"The bridge started as a wooden structure over 200 years ago - it's part of the bridge's history to evolve and be rebuilt and I think it is exciting that we will witness its new lease of life," Mr Cookson added.

The colour of the bridge is yet to be decided.

A lighting design will be chosen to "respect the ecology" and provide "a safe and attractive pedestrian bridge link" across the Ribble.

The Old Tram Bridge, originally built in 1802, spans the River Ribble in Preston

Preston-based architects Studio John Bridge are behind the design that has been chosen.

Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for economic development and growth, Aidy Riggott, said: "The tram bridge is a key feature of this part of the River Ribble and the new bridge will restore an important active travel route between South Ribble and Preston city centre for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders."