Nottingham City Council has signed a £12.6 million contract with Balfour Beatty to deliver an 85-metre long walking and cycling bridge over the River Trent.

The bridge, which will span the river at 20 metres high, is set to become a key infrastructure link, connecting the north side of the river—where the Trent Basin development of 350 new homes is underway—with the south, home to sports facilities, riverside walks, and green spaces. The project is expected to employ over 100 people, including four apprentices, during its construction.

With a weight of 160 tonnes, equivalent to the size of a blue whale, the bridge will feature a striking network arch design, making it a standout feature on the city’s skyline. It will be the first new bridge to be built in Nottingham since the 1950s, serving as a key connector between popular locations such as Colwick Park, the City Ground, Trent Bridge, Holme Pierrepont, and Nottingham Rugby Club.

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This project is the flagship and final development to be delivered under the City Council’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which began in 2020 after Nottingham and Derby secured over £160 million from the Central Government to improve inter-city connectivity and promote lower-carbon journeys. The new bridge is fully funded by this initiative.

Work on the bridge officially began with the demolition of a warehouse previously used by Flo Skate Park, which is necessary to clear space for the new structure. The construction timeline is as follows:

• February/March 2024: Site clearance, including vegetation removal and demolition of the warehouse

• March 2024: Delivery of equipment, materials, and site cabins

• April 2024 onwards: Pilings to support the bridge structure

• Summer–Autumn 2024: Construction of the bridge using prefabricated steel sections from Briton Fabricators Ltd, based in Hucknall

• November 2024: The completed bridge will be lifted into place by a large crane

• Winter 2025/26: Completion of ramps, steps, and landscaping, including paving, planting, and lighting

• Spring 2026: Official opening of the bridge

The bridge will not only improve connectivity between residential areas and key facilities but also enhance access to high-quality cycling routes, with links to Daleside Road and sustainable transport routes leading to the city centre and Colwick Park.

The City Council is committed to keeping residents and businesses informed throughout the project, providing regular updates via its Transport Nottingham website and email newsletters.

Once completed, the new bridge will play a crucial role in Nottingham's sustainable transport network, encouraging walking and cycling, and providing a valuable link for residents and visitors alike.