National Highways has officially opened a new £6.5m footbridge in Peterborough designed to make it easier for cyclists, walkers, and wheelchair users to cross the A47.
The new bridge forms part of a £250m package of projects that aim to improve the road between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.
It replaces the old Longthorpe footbridge, constructed in 1970, which National Highways said was becoming costly to repair and no longer met current industry standards.
The new bridge is 30 metres long and 3.5 metres wide and has shallow access ramps, where the gradient is no greater than 1/20 (5%).
Chris Eglinton, project manager for the bridge build, said: ‘Improving the major road network and making it safer – including how you cross over it – is what we do.
‘This new bridge will make that much easier. Whether you’re on a bike or perhaps pushing a pram, I’m sure people will notice the difference.’
National Highways said contractors GRAHAM will be at the site until April to complete some improvements to the A47 in the areas surrounding the bridge, as well as localised landscaping with trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
Four hundred new trees will also be planted elsewhere across Peterborough to replace those that were removed during construction.
Mr Eglinton said: ‘On this project, it was necessary to remove some trees so we could extend and reduce the gradient of the ramps leading to the bridge – that is the key difference, making the new bridge much more accessible for people to use than the one it replaces.
‘We recognise the value of biodiversity and how crucial trees are to local ecology as well as practically helping to shield road noise from those living nearby. Working alongside a local charity, we will ensure that one new tree has been planted for each one it was necessary to remove.’
The old bridge was demolished and removed on the weekend of 18 February
