Trent Basin ‘preferred’ location for new bridge over the River Trent

The River Trent

By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter


Trent Basin has been named as the preferred location for a new £9.2m pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Trent in Nottingham.

Construction work is expected to start next autumn before the bridge is finally open to the public in Spring 2023.

Nottingham City Council had previously identified three potential locations for the bridge, which will make it easier for walkers and cyclists to access places such as Colwick Park from the south side of the river.

Planners say it will also improve connectivity into the city centre. The structure will be the first new bridge over the River Trent since Clifton Bridge opened in 1958.

Council officials tasked with delivering the project revealed their preferred option at a Rushcliffe Borough Council Growth and Development Scrutiny Group meeting on Wednesday, July 14.

The three sites that had been identified were Poulton Drive, Trent Basin and Trent Lane.

Chris Carter, head of transport strategy and programme lead for the bridge at Nottingham City Council, said: “We have got three locations on the go, and I think we have recognised the Trent Lane option is going to be very difficult because the construction of it is very constrained, so it is looking highly unlikely.

“We are possibly having a leaning towards the Trent Basin site but there are still some constraints to overcome so that is subject to additional design work.

“The Poulton Drive is probably deliverable but there are certain weaknesses to that site as it is closest to the Lady Bay Bridge, so we prefer for certain factors the Trent Basin site.

“But we have to complete the design work before we can be definitive on that.”

The preferred option would see the bridge land on old industrial land near the Trent Basin housing development on one side and near the Trent Fields on the other.

There are also proposals looking into an ‘amphitheatre-style’ seating and bench area so people could look out over the river.

Planners say it will complement the other four other Nottingham bridges already built – Wilford Toll Bridge, the Suspension Bridge, Trent Bridge and Lady Bay Bridge.

Mr Carter said: “One bridge on its own is great but if you put it with others – it allows people to experience their local areas.”

There are two main potential design options: a cable-stayed bridge, requiring a tower on one side of the river from which cables would run to support the weight of the bridge deck, or a bow string arch bridge.

The construction of the bridge will require planning permission, due to be submitted around December 2021 to January 2022.

The boundary between the city council and Rushcliffe borough runs along the centre of the river therefore a joint application will need to be submitted.

The project will be funded by the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

Councillor Alan Phillips (Con) asked: “Do you want any money from Rushcliffe and who will pick up the maintenance? Will it be 50 per cent Rushcliffe and 50 per cent City?”

Paul Horn, project manager for the bridge development at Nottingham City Council, added: “In terms of maintenance it is early days. It will be a highway bridge so we need to have a discussion with the county council about ongoing maintenance.”

Other concerns included ensuring the bridge was not used as a ‘rat run’ for drug dealers and e-scooters and that it was suitable for disabled users.

The council’s project managers said the bridge will be wider than a bus lane and there will be ramps for disabled users to access it.

Councillor Neil Clarke (Con), chairman of the scrutiny group, said councillors accepted the principle of the bridge but added: “We have some concerns that the design does not impede on river traffic and the protection of trees and vegetation.”

If planning permission is approved work will begin in autumn 2022 and the bridge will be open by Spring 2023.