New cycle bridge will link key sites in the city

Cycle bridge Nottingham

Work to better connect the growing cycle network with Nottingham city centre has taken another step forward as work has begun on a new pedestrian and cycle bridge.

The new footpath and cycleway will add to the City Council Big Track cycle network, linking Lenton and the Boots site directly with Nottingham Science Park and University Boulevard, offering access to tram and bus services, via a 50-metre bridge over the Midland Mainline.

It will also improve access to the University of Nottingham and the Queen’s Medical Centre.

Councillor Dave Liversidge, Portfolio Holder for Transport, said: “The Boots site is part of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and is an important development site for the city. Improved pedestrian and cycle links are key to unlocking its full potential to ensure the site is well connected to our existing transport network, while helping reduce impact on local traffic.

“The Midland Mainline railway is a significant barrier between the campus and the other Enterprise Zone sites – Nottingham Science Park and the Medi-Park. This new bridge will better connect the sites, enabling access for pedestrians and cyclists, and providing wider options for travel by providing a link to the bus and tram network on University Boulevard, where it will also join up with the Western Cycle Corridor.

“Providing greater options for travel is part of our plan to keep Nottingham moving, making it easier for people to cycle and use public transport to reduce congestion on our roads so we can all get around more easily.”

The bridge will be reached by a footpath and cycleway off University Boulevard, between the tennis centre and land earmarked for future science park developments.

After crossing the mainline, the path will follow around the Boots site and connect with Thane Road and the Beeston canal.

Construction firm Eurovia has been awarded the contract to build the bridge, ramps and associated paths, all of which will be well lit.

Built using treated steel to reduce future maintenance costs, the bridge will be lifted into place over one night later this year to minimise disruption to the mainline.

Director of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone at Boots, Mark Chivers, said: “Our ambition has always been to improve access to the site and for the Boots Enterprise Zone to feel like a connected part of Nottingham. We’re making good progress building a new public highway. This new bridge will also benefit this vision, and create a new access route for our colleagues travelling to work on the tram.”

Updates on the project will be posted here. 

What is Nottingham Enterprise Zone?

Nottingham Enterprise Zone in total comprises 113 hectares of former industrial land. Planning consent has been granted to:

  • Build 675 new homes
  • Provide 200,000 square metres of employment space for offices and laboratories for health, beauty and well being businesses
  • Provide 21 hectares of green space

In October 2016 Nottingham City Council was awarded £6m from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to upgrade pedestrian cycle links to connect the Boots site to the city centre and surrounding areas, including in Beeston delivered by Nottinghamshire County Council.