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River closure planned for £8.3m bridge project

Shariqua Ahmed
Shariqua Ahmed/BBC A bare construction site with a yellow digger and two workers standing in high-visibility construction overalls. There is a building to the back and metal fencing to the right. Shariqua Ahmed/BBC
The restriction on the River Nene will begin on 16 November

Part of the River Nene will be temporarily closed to allow works to continue on a new £8.3m footbridge.

Restrictions will be in place from Monday until 24 December to allow the installation of key sections of Cygnet Bridge in Peterborough.

The bridge is intended to improve links between the south of the city and Peterborough city centre.

An Environment Agency notice said river navigation would be prohibited around the construction site, with the closure enforced by river booms and signage.

Peterborough City Council said the temporary restrictions were needed to ensure the safety of both the public and construction workers while the bridge's mast and deck sections were installed.

Peterborough City Council An artist's impression of the bridge during sunset where people are walking along the riverside and sitting along the river.Peterborough City Council
The bridge aims to link the south of Peterborough with the city centre

Preparatory work for the project began in May with the creation of a site compound, offices and welfare facilities.

Angus Ellis, the council's cabinet member for transport, said: "This is an exciting milestone for the scheme and very soon residents and visitors to the city will be able to see the impressive structure connecting the north and south side of the river.

"Once completed, the bridge will play a key role in creating a more connected and walkable city, improving access across the Embankment and opening up potential development opportunities in future."

The project is funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), the government's Towns Fund and Peterborough City Council.

Work to the footbridge was originally expected to cost £6.3m, but the budget increased by £2m following design changes and higher costs linked to sewer diversions.

Under the revised funding package, the Towns Fund is contributing £2m and the CPCA £5.4m, with the remainder being paid from the city council's redevelopment budget.

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