Campaigners settle on new bridge location
CROSSING FOR CYCLISTS A STEP CLOSER
THE final location for a new bridge spanning the River Trent has been chosen by campaigners.
The pedestrian and cycle bridge from the planned Trent Basin housing development to a path behind the rugby club, south of the river, has taken a big step forward.
Although John Rhodes, one of the founding members of the steering group behind the project, Pedals, is optimistic that he will see it during his lifetime, it has been in the pipeline since at least 2014.
And with funding and approval yet to be secured, there’s still a long way to go.
Mr Rhodes, who lives in nearby River Crescent, said: “You never hope it will take this long but it is not uncommon. There is a huge swell of support for it. It will improve connections for walking and cycling.
“Lady Bay bridge is very hostile for cyclists and the air pollution is terrible. More people would use it. It’s impossible to say when it will be built but we are ramping up the pressure. One thing I have learnt is perseverance is worth more than looks or talent.
“It’s very important to encourage further development of Nottingham’s water side which is brownfield and close to the city centre.”
The proposed location replaces earlier plans to put the bridge at the end of Trent Lane, a few hundred metres further down.
According to Mr Rhodes, this failed because of the unwillingness of land owners to agree to it and because it could have damaged poplar trees on the south side of the river.
The new location would connect it to the Trent Basin development, where 500 homes are being built.
It also means that the final touches can be added to the feasibility study, a “crucial” part of the process.
This is one of three things needed to secure the funding – expected to be around £2.8m – the group wants from the Government, via cycle charity Sustrans.
Support from local authorities is also needed. The group has the provisional backing of Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council, and is confident it will get the support of Nottinghamshire County and Rushcliffe Borough councils, as the project would not cost them anything.
Finally, it needs the agreement of the landowners but Mr Rhodes believes this will be forthcoming, as there have been positive meetings and there are obvious benefits to them from being better connected.
Councillor Dave Liversidge, city council portfolio holder for transport, said: “We support the principle of a bridge to connect communities on either side of the river, improve access for residents to open space and provide a new traffic-free commuter route.
“However, there will be a range of issues to consider, such as the visual and environmental impacts, other development proposals in the area and the council’s transport priorities.”
Both city and county councils will give the group practical help with its designs and business case. “However, neither council has funding to pay for the bridge and potential funders would need to ensure that the project offers good value for money,” said a spokeswoman for the county council. “As a result, significant work still needs to be undertaken in order to maximise the value the bridge would bring to all potential users and to develop a detailed business case, ready for an appropriate funding opportunity.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council said it would give its feedback when firm plans came through.