New £18m River Trent bridge officially opens

An £18m bridge spanning the River Trent in Nottingham has officially opened.

The 87m (278ft) Waterside Bridge, which connects the city to Lady Bay, was built in Hucknall and lifted into place in November.

The crossing opened to pedestrians and cyclists on Tuesday and a newly widened and surfaced riverside footpath on the south side of the river has also reopened.

The 160-tonne bridge is the first new river crossing built in the city since 1958, when Clifton Bridge was erected.

Dozens of people gathered for the opening ceremony earlier, including schoolchildren from William Booth Primary and Lady Bay Primary - two nearby schools on either side of the bridge. They helped cut the ribbon with Nottingham City Council leader Neghat Khan.

Sarah Ansari, of the charity Walk Wheel Cycle Trust - who was at the opening - told the BBC it was a "great achievement".

"Many years of work has gone into it - connecting Holme Pierrepont with the city," she said.

"More opportunities for people to cycle and walk safely, and access the city.

"My daughter is already planning to come with her friends - it's a beautiful destination, not just a link. It's a new safe space."

Susan Young, of campaign group Pedals, said: "We don't have easy crossings of the river in many areas for people.

"Traffic on the nearby bridges is horrendous and they are not nice for walking either.

"We've got lovely cycle routes around here, so it's essential we get plenty of crossings suitable for people. It's going to be quick and easy."

Whiskey, a dog that has 6,500 followers on Instagram, was the first canine to cross the bridge with her owner Ash Gangotra, who has lived in the area for eight years.

"We walked over and all the dignitaries told us she was the first dog over the bridge," Gangotra said.

"I'm quite delighted that Whiskey's had the honour to walk the bridge and make history.

"She going to love this bridge to get to the other side over to the fields.

"It's always been a hurdle walking around, down Trent Lane and over the main road with all the traffic, so having the bridge is going to be a fantastic opportunity to get to Holme Pierrepont and to our groomer."

Khan said it was a significant moment for the city, and added: "We are not simply opening a bridge, we are opening new connections, new opportunities and a new chapter for Nottingham.

"For the first time, communities on both sides of the River Trent are directly linked by a safe, accessible and attractive walking and cycling route.

"That means easier journeys to work, safer journeys to school, better access to parks, green spaces, sporting venues, and local services.

"It will help unlock the regeneration of the Waterside area, support new homes, new facilities, new opportunities for our city."

She added the new bridge was the "flagship achievement" of the Transforming Cities programme.

The government-funded project has faced delays and increased costs - after an original budget of £9m.

Transport Nottingham said a community fun day was due to be held on both sides of the bridge with free activities, food stalls and community performances on 14 June.

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