Nottingham City Council has authorised the commencement of legal and administrative processes for the construction of a new cycle and pedestrian bridge across the River Trent.
This decision was officially signed on September 6 and 7, 2023, by key council members.
The new Waterside Bridge, funded through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, will offer a huge boost to the routes available for cyclists, pedestrians and runners, providing a quieter, safer option for commuter and leisure trips between the Waterside regeneration area on the north bank and Lady Bay, West Bridgford on the south.
New cycle and pedestrian bridge for River Trent
The Decision in Detail
The decision was multi-faceted and involved several key actions:
• Inter-Authority Agreement: The council will negotiate and finalise an agreement under Section 8 of the Highways Act 1980 with Nottinghamshire County Council. This is crucial because the proposed bridge will cross administrative boundaries between the City and County Local Highway Authorities (LHAs).
• Statutory Approval: The council will initiate the statutory process under Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980 to secure permission from the Secretary of State to construct the bridge over navigable waters.
• Future Approvals: The decision also made it clear that future approvals from the Executive Board would be sought for the actual construction of the bridge and for outlining future maintenance arrangements and costs.
The Rationale Behind the Decision
The council was motivated by the broader goals of the Transforming Cities Programme, which aims to revolutionise urban mobility and infrastructure. The council emphasised the necessity of obtaining the required legal authority to move forward with the project.
Legal and Financial Framework
Legal counsel for the project is being sourced from external solicitors. Once the scheme is submitted to the Secretary of State, it will be subject to public scrutiny. If objections arise, this could trigger a Public Inquiry, potentially incurring significant financial costs.
Financially, the project is part of the approved capital programme within the Transforming Cities Programme. The council warned that failure to proceed with the scheme would result in “abortive costs,” essentially wasted expenditures that yield no benefit.
Departmental Support and Consultations
The decision has garnered support from various internal departments. Building Services, represented by Trevor Bone, Property Maintenance Manager, and Strategic Assets & Property, represented by Beverley Gouveia, Disposals and development Manager, have both endorsed the project. Consultations were limited to those directly affected by the decision, thereby streamlining the decision-making process.
© Nottingham City Council
Conclusion and Next Steps
This decision could be a pivotal moment in Nottingham City Council’s ongoing efforts to bolster local infrastructure and encourage eco-friendly transportation options. The proposed bridge is not just a physical structure; it symbolizes the city’s commitment to a greener, more interconnected future.
Additional Information: In-Depth Look at the Bridge Project
Background and Strategic Importance
The Waterside Bridge project is part of Nottingham City Council’s (NCC) broader vision, supported by a £153 million grant from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).
The need for a new cycle and pedestrian bridge was first identified in the Waterside Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which was formally adopted in June 2019 after public consultation. The bridge is a key priority in the Strategic Council Plan 2023-2027 and aligns with several other strategic plans, including the Nottingham Local Transport Plan Strategy 2011-2026 and the Carbon Neutral Action Plan.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration
The bridge will span two administrative boundaries: NCC on the north side and Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) on the south. While RBC will be a partner in the project, NCC will act as the Lead Authority, responsible for land assembly and other logistical aspects. This necessitates dual planning applications and a Section 8 agreement under the Highways Act 1980 with Nottinghamshire County Council.
Progress and Public Support
NCC has made significant strides in the project, including appointing Amey for an options appraisal exercise and Balfour Beatty for the design and build phase. A public consultation held between November 8 and 28, 2021, garnered overwhelming support, with over 83% of survey respondents in favour of the project. This led to the Executive Board granting approval for a network arch bridge scheme at Trent Basin in December 2021.
Detailed Design and Planning
The project has now entered the detailed design stage, expected to last approximately one year. During this period, Balfour Beatty will prepare detailed architectural and engineering drawings, while the council will focus on land assembly, securing planning permission, and obtaining authority from the Secretary of State to build the bridge over navigable water.
Legal and Financial Aspects
The project involves complex legal procedures, including obtaining authority under Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980 to build over navigable water. A contingency has been set aside to cover the cost of a public inquiry, should objections arise. All costs related to legal agreements and the statutory process are already factored into the project’s budget, approved by the Executive Board in June 2020.
Multi-Agency Steering Group
A multi-agency steering group has been established to support the design and discuss key issues. It includes representatives from Rushcliffe Borough Council, Canals and Rivers Trust, Nottinghamshire County Council, and the Environment Agency.
Next Steps
Approval is now sought to commence the statutory process for obtaining the necessary authority from the Secretary of State. A further report will be submitted to the Executive Board to proceed to the construction stage once the detailed design, build budget, and future maintenance cost plan have been finalised.
