Construction is progressing on the new Transforming Cities-funded pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the River Trent, opening up new links between the expanding Waterside regeneration area, Colwick Park on the north bank, and the Lady Bay/West Bridgford area to the south.
You’ll find information what has so far been achieved, along with next steps, background to this project and an FAQ on this page.
Latest News and Updates
April 2025
- The warehouse that used to house Flo Skatepark has now been demolished – making the space needed to assemble the massive bridge and for a crane to lift it into place this autumn
- Thank you for your patience while the path between the river and playparks at the Hook, Holme Road, Lady Bay, was closed. The path has now been transformed from rocky and muddy to smooth and flat tarmac. It will be much better for all users, but especially those using a scooter, bike, wheelchair or pushchair and will form a key part of our diversion while the riverside path is closed.
- The path along the riverside between Lady Bay Bridge and where it meets the path to the playpark, shown in red below, will be closed from 5 May until spring 2026 when the bridge opens. We apologise both for the inconvenience and length of closure which is necessary while we build and lift the bridge into place, as well as making improvements to this footpath. Pedestrian and bike diversion routes are shown on our map
© Crown Copyright and Database Rights 2025 OS AC0000822898.
March 2025
- Clearance of vegetation has taken place on site, preparing the bank where the bridge will land
- Work has begun to demolish the warehouse which housed Flo Skate Park
- The footpath between the playparks at the Hook and the river, on the south side of the river, is now closed until late April while its being upgraded as part of the bridge project. The stone path will be replaced by a 3metre tarmac path – more details here. Thank you for using another route while we carry out this upgrade.
© Crown Copyright and Database Rights 2025 OS AC0000822898.
What’s happened so far?
2020 – Secured Government funding through the Transforming Cities Fund
2021 – Option appraisal of bridge locations undertaken by Amey Consulting.
Environmental surveys, flood modelling and stakeholder engagement carried out
November 2021 Public invited to share their views on the preferred scheme location
December 2021 Nottingham City Council Executive Board approved the location of the bridge at Trent Basin, and gave approval to progress the scheme and submit a planning application
2022 We reviewed feedback from the public, which resulted in the width of the bridge being increased to 4m and additional connecting routes being considered
2022 We engaged with a contractor (Balfour Beatty) to to clarify key areas including costs buildability, how the bridge will be constructed on site and the land take requirements for this.
2022 & 2023 The project team have continued to work with adjacent landowners to map out the processes to secure agreements to construct the bridge and connect it to the existing highway network.
2022 & 2023 Further work was undertaken to support the planning application submission including flood modelling and environmental surveys such as tree, bat, water vole and other vegetation and species surveys. Work has also progressed to determine the construction methodology including the proposed construction haul routes.
2024 – detailed design work, ground and ecological surveys, scheme order confirmation, detailed construction methodology planning, land agreements negotiated,
February 2024 – We submitted planning applications in February 2024 which have now been approved.
December 2024 – Nottingham City Council have received a confirmation instrument from the Department for Transport
January 2025 – Nottingham City Council has entered into contract with lead delivery partner Balfour Beatty who will build the bridge
Construction timeline
- February/March: Site clearance including vegetation clearance and demolishing a warehouse formerly used by Flo skate park
- March: Balfour Beatty will bring equipment, materials and cabins to site
- April onwards: Pilings are screwed into the ground to support the bridge structure
- Summer – autumn: The bridge will be built on site using large, prefabricated sections of steel arriving from local company Briton Fabricators Ltd, based just eight miles away in Hucknall
- November: The completed bridge and basin bridge will be lifted into place on its supports by a huge crane
- Winter 25/26: Ramps, steps and hard and soft landscaping completed including paving, planting and lighting
- Spring 2026: The new bridge opens
Cost
The current cost for the entire project is £18million, with funding set aside within the Transforming Cities Fund programme to deliver the scheme.
Since the project began, plans have evolved as the design and methods of construction have been refined and this along with other factors outside of the Council’s control, have impacted the cost. These include:
- widening the bridge from the original proposed width of 3.5m to 4m, following feedback from the public at the consultation stage
- large increases in inflationary pressures especially impacting the cost of construction and materials
- as we clearly said throughout, the final cost would be subject to our project teams fleshing out the construction planning and logistics with our delivery partner
Background to the project
The Waterside Bridge will be the first bridge to be built over the Trent in Nottingham since Clifton Bridge in 1958, and will open up new, safer commuter and leisure routes, offering a huge boost to cyclists, pedestrians and runners alike.
By enhancing connections between communities, green spaces and riverside paths, the proposed scheme will make it easier for people living and working in the Nottingham area to travel in a more sustainable way.
In addition, new and enhanced connecting paths and crossing points will be developed, which will connect the bridge to the wider walking and cycling network, providing access to housing, employment and leisure opportunities across the city and beyond.
The new bridge will also provide strong links between exciting new developments in the Island Quarter, significant housing growth taking place in West Bridgford, and Nottingham city centre.
It will also provide easier access to green and open space south of the river, as well as the sports grounds, for people living in communities such as Sneinton and the city centre.
The project is being led by Nottingham City Council, working in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and in consultation with Nottinghamshire County Council.
The need for a bridge was identified in the City Council’s Waterside Supplementary Planning document in 2019. The council secured funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities programme to deliver this scheme as part of a programme to invest in local transport infrastructure that will improve sustainable transport, support growth, and encourage more low carbon journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Trent Basin been chosen as the location?
The City Council in partnership with the neighbouring local authorities of Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire examined the strategic cycle and walking network and recognised the need for more places to be able to cross the Trent safely.
This supports earlier work undertaken as part of the Waterside Regeneration Area consultation, where the idea of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge in the proposed location was first put to the public.
The new bridge, for walking and cycling, will open up new, quieter routes for travel and will also create new opportunities for local trip making and build upon the increase in cycling and walking trip making that was observed during lockdown.
The bridge will greatly improve connectivity in the Waterside area, but the benefits will also be seen by people living much further afield. There is huge demand for travel over the Trent and a new bridge will enable people to have a greater travel choice by opening up walking and cycling as an option as part of the commute and for leisure.
We also know there is a demand for better walking and cycling routes on both Lady Bay Bridge and Trent Bridge. These do still feature in future plans and will be assessed against other improvements needed across the city, however a new bridge will greatly enhance the walking and cycling network and can be built and used without disruption or loss of capacity for public transport and other motorised transport.
What benefits will the new bridge provide?
The new bridge scheme will offer:
- a dedicated pedestrian and cycle bridge over the river Trent
- a new east-west connection over the head of Trent Basin (on the northern bank) to enable east-west connectivity alongside the river for cyclists and pedestrians
- new commuting route options for trips into Nottingham, the QMC, university sites and science parks from the south of the river
- a link across the river from the new housing and developments sites within the Waterside Regeneration Zone on the northern side to the green spaces on the south and to the National Water Sports Centre
- better access to the various sports grounds and sporting facilities in the area
- new opportunities for leisure trip making for pedestrian, runners and cyclists from either side of the river
- more circular route options for cyclists, walkers and runners who will be able to cross the Trent at the new bridge and use the existing bridges to create ‘loops’
- a safe and direct route connecting residents on the south of the river to Colwick Park (including Parkrun) on the north of the river, when combined with new path upgrade proposals on the northern side
- new and enhanced views of the river and its wildlife, and opportunities to get out and about supporting physical and mental well being
- Alleviation of traffic pressures on both Trent Bridge and Lady Bay bridge through increased sustainable travel
What new cycle paths or footpaths will connect with the bridge?
We are want to ensure the Bridge is as well connected to the existing and expanded future network. We are therefore working with land owners to agree the best route and looking at design options to ensure both cyclists and pedestrians have good connections to onward routes. Once we have agreed the best routes and completed feasibility designs we will share them for comment. Improved crossing facilities over Daleside Road are included in this remit.
This process has begun and will build on the work undertaken over the last few years that saw an improved route along the River to the east and enhanced paths around Colwick Park.
Isn’t this work impacted by the City Council issuing a Section 114 notice?
The Waterside Bridge project is being delivered using grant funding secured from Central Government through the Transforming Cities programme.
While the Section 114 report means that money Nottingham City Council can spend is currently strictly controlled, because external grant funding has previously been specifically allocated and approved for this scheme it can go ahead.
They money allocated to us by Government from this fund cannot be spent on anything else.
Why have you chosen to locate a bridge here?
The location offers a good balance between providing for leisure and commuter use. It is down the river from Lady Bay bridge while being close enough to Colwick Park that when combined with proposed improvements to the paths along the banks of the Trent it will greatly improve access for walking and cycling.
Why don’t you just improve Lady Bay Bridge or Trent Bridge?
To provide a suitable route significantly more investment would be required on existing bridges. By focusing on a new bridge it also means there is significantly less disruption to travel while the bridge is constructed.
Why can’t this money be put toward a bridge for cars (such as the ‘fourth Trent Crossing’)?
The money has been provided by the Government to support sustainable travel. While not cheap, a walking and cycling bridge will cost significantly less than a bridge that can take motor traffic.
Encouraging more sustainable, lower carbon journeys is an important part of our plan to achieve Carbon Neutral Nottingham 2028. We need to create the necessary infrastructure to enable people to make smarter choices about how they travel, reducing our impact on climate change.
Will boats be able to sail under the bridge?
We are working closely with boat operators and sailing clubs and talking to the Canal and River Trust to ensure we accommodate the needs of existing users. The navigable height will allow clearance for a single handed sailing boat and for tourist/event boats. It is 6.4 metres above a water level of 21.00.
How wide will the bridge be?
The bridge deck and ramps will be 4m wide to allow pedestrians and cyclists to easily pass and allow people to stop and enjoy the view.
Will electric scooters be able to use the bridge?
Privately owned electric scooters can only be used on private land.
Nottinghamshire County Council does not currently permit a public e-scooter scheme, and as the bridge crosses the boundary between the city and county if the bridge was open now you would be able to get to the bridge on the north side using a dott e-scooter but you would not be able to cross.
How will you stop vehicles from using the bridge?
Suitable measures will be in place to prevent vehicles attempting to access the bridge through areas designated for walking and cycling. If necessary, measures will be placed on the bridge that will inhibit vehicles but not make it difficult for wheelchairs, adapted bikes, pedestrians or cyclists.
