Nottingham’s newest bridge is open for everyone to enjoy – almost seven decades after the last new major bridge over the River Trent in the city opened.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward joined Councillor Neghat Khan, Nottingham City Council leader, to cut the ribbon and officially declare the 87-metre network arch bridge open.
Schoolchildren from two nearby schools on either side of the bridge – William Booth Primary in Sneinton and Lady Bay Primary in Lady Bay – joined in the celebration by crossing the bridge together to emphasise the new link between communities.
Mayor Claire said: “The opening of Waterside Bridge is a landmark moment for Nottingham and for the wider East Midlands. This fantastic new crossing is connecting people to green spaces, leisure, education, and job opportunities – and it was built right here in the East Midlands.
“It’s especially fitting that local schoolchildren were among the first to cross the bridge together today, symbolising the stronger links this project creates between communities.
“Projects like the Waterside Bridge show the real difference investment in sustainable transport infrastructure can make. By making it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle, and wheel, we are helping to create healthier neighbourhoods, support local growth, and build a greener future for our region.”
Among the partners also in attendance were councillors and representatives from Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, Active Travel England and the Department for Transport (DfT). Representatives from Balfour Beatty, Britons Fabricators, Pick Everard, Geldards and Blueprint were also present.
Made possible thanks to funding received from the DfT as part of the Transforming Cities programme, the new walking and cycling bridge was also built locally. Fabricated using British steel at Britons eight miles away in Hucknall, the new bridge provides walkers and cyclists with a more appealing and accessible route across the river, linking up neighbourhoods, supporting regeneration and providing much improved access to sports facilities and green spaces while encouraging healthier, more sustainable ways to get around.
Metal panels portraying local history and nature will be installed later this month and the amphitheatre area approaching the bridge on the north side also features seating and lots of plants. The bridge will be covered by CCTV and will be lit at night with low level hand-rail lighting which is less disruptive to wildlife. The riverside path on the south bank is also now fully open offering a smooth 3m wide tarmac surface.
Councillor Khan said: “I’m delighted to see Nottingham’s new walking and cycling bridge open for local people and visitors to enjoy. This new walking and cycling link between communities on the north and south sides of the river opens up easy and safe access to green spaces, sports facilities, homes and jobs for local people, enabling more growth for our city.
“It’s fantastic to see how much this project has supported the local economy – spending £67 million here in our region – and engaged with our communities, employing local people and apprentices, engaging with schools, raising money for charity and much more.
“As well as our lead delivery partner Balfour Beatty, a number of local partners, groups, other local councils including Rushcliffe and Nottinghamshire and of course the Department for Transport have been involved in this ambitious project to better connect our city. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to get us here.”
While much excitement is centred on the 160-tonne Waterside Bridge, a second bridge – the Basin Bridge linking the Waterside Bridge landing with Trent Basin – is also now open. The Basin Bridge is 26m long and is a part of plans to provide a continuous east-west path along the north side of the Trent.
National cycle route 6 is nearby, while route 15 travels directly past the bridge before continuing past Holme Pierrepont to Radcliffe-on-Trent, Bingham and Grantham.
A further new route for pedestrians and cyclists linking up the bridge with Daleside Road and the city centre via Poulton Drive will open shortly. Until then, access is available via Trent Lane/Portside.
To celebrate the opening of Nottingham’s new walking and cycling bridge, Nottingham City Council is organising a free bridge fun day on Sunday 14 June from 10am-4pm. The day will feature:
Councillor Jonathan Wheeler, Rushcliffe Borough Council cabinet portfolio holder for communities and wellbeing, said: “The bridge will create more connectivity for residents for further opportunities to travel in a more sustainable way. Creating this new link for cyclists and pedestrians means easier access to nearby open spaces in Lady Bay and West Bridgford and our international sports grounds and leisure facilities, encouraging more people to make lower carbon journeys.”