Nottingham City Council has submitted a planning application for a pedestrian and cyclist – ‘Waterside Bridge’ across the River Trent. Spades will be in the ground building the new bridge by late 2024, and the bridge is expected to be completed by late 2025.

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. 

The new bridge, the first over the Trent since Clifton Bridge was built 60 years ago, will create links between the expanding Waterside regeneration area, Colwick Park on the north bank, and the Lady Bay and West Bridgford areas to the south. 

By enhancing connections between communities, green spaces and riverside paths, the proposed scheme will make it easier for people living and working in Nottingham  to travel in a more sustainable way. 

The new bridge will also provide strong links between exciting  developments in the Island Quarter, as well as significant housing growth taking place in West Bridgford and Nottingham city centre. 

It will provide easier access to green and open space south of the river, plus 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.

Since funding was allocated in 2020, the City Council has explored possible locations  for the new bridge, including looking at environmental and flooding factors while engaging with local people.

Feedback from residents led to the width of the bridge being increased and other minor amendments included. 

Councillor Angela Kandola, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport, said: “During a difficult time for Nottingham, it’s great to see this major project to create a link across the river for cyclists and pedestrians is progressing. 

“The new Waterside Bridge will join the Waterside regeneration area on the north bank of the river, and the Lady Bay and West Bridgford area on the south bank, creating easier access to open spaces south of the river, as well as the sports grounds and leisure facilities, and to Colwick Park on the north side.

“Encouraging more sustainable, lower-carbon journeys is an important part of our plan to achieve Carbon Neutral Nottingham 2028. This project will enable people to make smarter choices about how they travel, reducing our collective impact on climate change.”

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development, Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, said: “The bridge could create further positive connectivity for residents on both sides of the river and we welcome government funding that has enabled the project to come to fruition.

“We have been pleased to work with our city colleagues on designs for this new community bridge so far and look forward to seeing the next stage of the project progress subject to an independent planning process.”