A new pedestrian and cycle bridge has been installed across the River Trent in Nottingham after engineers used a large crawler crane to lift the 87m-long structure into place.

The 175t steel span was hoisted into position by a CC6800 crawler crane, which was assembled onsite and rose to a height of 75m. The lift was carried out from temporary supports and manoeuvred onto permanent abutments on a carefully choreographed schedule involving contractor Balfour Beatty, specialist lift firm Mammoet and fabricator Briton Fabricators.

Because of the bridge’s mass, the crane operated from purpose-built tracks and large counterweights. Project teams said the operation was completed without incident, marking a major construction milestone for the scheme.

The bridge will form the final element of Nottingham City Council’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, a package of projects launched in 2020 after the council secured more than £160M of central government funding intended to improve inter-city connectivity and encourage lower‑carbon travel.

When finished, the crossing is intended to strengthen active-travel links across the city, providing walking and cycling routes that organisers say will be particularly useful for people travelling to sporting venues and riverside amenities on both sides of the Trent.

Work now continues on approach ramps, steps, walkways, a smaller bridge over Trent Basin and surrounding landscaping. The city council has scheduled the opening for late spring 2026.

The new bridge follows other recent local investments aimed at improving sustainable travel, but it also comes amid wider debate over how councils should allocate government transport funding between walking, cycling, buses and road projects. Supporters say schemes such as this increase options for non-car journeys and reduce carbon emissions; critics argue that outcomes depend on how the new infrastructure is integrated with wider transport networks and services.

Nottingham City Council executive member for regional development, growth and transport Linda Woodings said: “This is a big milestone moment for our project to build a new walking and cycling bridge over the river Trent – it was thrilling to be at the riverside and see the new bridge land on its supports just as planned. I want to say a huge thank you to all the many people involved and I know I speak for everyone locally when I say that I can’t wait to try it out come spring.”

Balfour Beatty project director Sunil Karra said: “We’re extremely proud to have safely and successfully completed this major milestone today, with the new 175t bridge now in position across the River Trent. This complex bridge lift was made possible through detailed planning and close collaboration with our project partners and the Council.

“We now look forward to completing the remaining works and connecting communities on both sides of the river.”

Rushcliffe Borough Council cabinet portfolio holder for leisure and wellbeing, ICT and member development Jonathan Wheeler said: “It is good to see another major step towards the opening of the bridge that will create more connectivity for residents on both sides of the river for further opportunities to travel in a more sustainable way.

“Creating this new link for cyclists and pedestrians will create easier access to nearby open spaces in Lady Bay and West Bridgford and our local sports grounds and leisure facilities, encouraging more people to make lower carbon journeys.”

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