Project team appointed to new River Trent bridge project in Nottingham

A stellar project team has been formed to deliver a new crossing over the UK’s third-longest river in Nottingham. SCAPE will work alongside Perfect Circle and Balfour Beatty to deliver the flagship project for Nottingham City Council.

The scheme, which will see a dedicated pedestrian and cycle bridge constructed over the River Trent, is set to help ease congestion by providing nearby residents with a new transport route for work commutes. The project will also result in easier access to greenspace for leisure and wellbeing purposes.

The bridge will connect the Lady Bay area south of the river with the Trent Basin waterside housing estate on the north side of the river, closer to the city centre.

Balfour Beatty has been appointed as principal contractor via SCAPE’s Civil Engineering Framework, while Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – has been appointed to deliver project management and quantity surveying services through the SCAPE Consultancy Framework.

Ahead of a planning application being submitted in early summer this year, feasibility studies have already been completed alongside work to pinpoint the exact location of the proposed structure. Government funding was secured through the Transforming Cities programme during the design conception stage, which helped to boost project momentum.

Jon Kiteley, area director for Balfour Beatty’s regional civils business, said: “Through the SCAPE framework, we are delighted to have been appointed by Nottingham City Council to deliver the first crossing over the River Trent in the city in 65 years.

“Utilising our experience in active travel schemes, including new pedestrian and cycling routes, we look forward to delivering this new crossing, connecting the people of Nottingham.”

Councillor Audra Wynter, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for highways, transport and parks, said: “It’s great to see that we’ve now appointed the project team of Pick Everard and Balfour Beatty to deliver the first new crossing over the River Trent in 65 years.

“We’re working in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and in consultation with Nottinghamshire County Council to create better walking and cycling links for all our residents and look forward to submitting the planning application for the new bridge in early summer 2023.

“Encouraging more sustainable, lower carbon journeys is an important part of our plan to achieve Carbon Neutral Nottingham 2028. Though there are a range of benefits from this project, we know that we need to create infrastructure to enable people to make smarter choices about how they travel, reducing our impact on climate change.”

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Councillor Simon Robinson said: “The bridge will create further links between Rushcliffe and the city, providing the opportunity for improved access, and a sustainable alternative to dependency on car use, to employment and recreational opportunities on both sides of the river.

“Subject to an independent planning process for its construction on the Rushcliffe banks of the Trent, we are pleased to hear partners have been appointed and we are supportive of its creation.”