Proud moment as new bridge slots into place

PROJECT HIT BY DELAYS AND RISING COSTS NEARS COMPLETION

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

THERE have been delays, disruptions and setbacks for years. But the first bridge to be built over the River Trent since the 1950s has finally been lifted into place and campaigners are celebrating the "historic moment".

Yesterday, a huge crane lifted the Waterside Bridge into place, connecting the Trent Basin housing estate in Nottingham to Lady Bay in Rushcliffe.

Crowds on both sides of the river gathered to watch the 175-tonne pedestrian and cycle bridge installed in less than two hours, despite the city council previously suggesting it could take up to five.

Plans for the bridge were first revealed in November 2021, but the project has since been hit by delays and rising costs, with some residents worrying it might never see the light of day.

Yet as the bridge was fitted into place by 11am, those behind the project hailed a "very proud moment".

Cyclist Hugh McClintock began calling for a new bridge to be installed over the River Trent more than 10 years ago. With campaign group Pedals, he has argued there is a lack of safe routes for cyclists to get from one side of the river to another.

"It's fantastic - but we never thought it would take 10 years," he told the Post.