Nottingham’s brand-new footbridge over the river Trent between Lady Bay and Colwick is proving incredibly popular with residents and visitors to the city alike.  

Since the bridge opened on 2 June, an average of 996 walkers and 447 cyclists have used it each day – with that number shooting up to 5970 walkers and 849 cyclists during the fun day to celebrate the new bridge held on 14th June.  

Recently, the bridge was also visited by hundreds of people seeking somewhere to watch the eclipse, leading to a friendly, party atmosphere. 

The new bridge was funded through the Transforming Cities Fund, a government scheme for projects which would boost low-carbon and sustainable travel.  

The 87 metre, 175 tonne tied arch bridge was built in Hucknall at Britons using British steel before being installed 8 miles down the road at its new home at Trent Basin by Balfour Beatty. 

It was hoped that a bridge at this location would open up links between Colwick Country Park and communities on the south side of the river, as well as making it easier for sports fans to get to and from games and matches at the various nearby stadiums – ambitions that are now reality. 

Councillor Patience Ifediora, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: It’s lovely to see Waterside Bridge becoming so incredibly popular in such a short time, both for leisure and safer, easier journeys locally. It’s a fantastic place to get close to the river and enjoy nature too.” 

I look forward to seeing even more of the impact of the bridge as our local football team match’s return this autumn. Over the autumn, our highways teams will also be improving the temporary link between Waterside Bridge and Poulton Drive, and we’re also beginning work on a raft of improvements to the large roundabout where Daleside Road meets Manvers Street and Meadows Lane, making it a better space to navigate on foot and on bike.” 

Thomas said – “I love that the bridge has opened up Colwick Park for me –now I can get to it via the river and it’s a really lovely route. From Colwick, I can essentially get all the way to Barton without touching a road. Roads can be overstimulating – smelly, noisy, so having a quieter space to navigate through the city is really important.”  

Sam said “Thanks to the new bridge, we’re able to cycle to work and leisure safely, which means we’re using less petrol to get around and contributing less pollution and congestion for everyone else. We absolutely love it.” 

Next up, Nottingham City Council highways colleagues will be tarmacking the temporary route from Waterside Bridge to Poulton Drive, which will slightly change the configuration of the route.  

Next on their radar is a continuation of the Poulton Drive / Daleside Road cycle scheme which will provide an improved connection back to our cycling network and onto the city centre. 

We will be upgrading large island where Daleside Road meets Manvers Street to make it a better place to navigate as a cyclist and pedestrian: 

• providing toucan crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. These signals are getting to their end of their life and in need of refurbishment so this scheme will upgrade all the signal poles, heads and controllers whilst simultaneously providing new and improved cycle crossing facilities 

• improving and extending footpaths and shared spaces