Category: Industrial
Stepnell has completed construction of a new £2.1 million pedestrian and cycle bridge in Long Eaton over the Erewash Canal, enhancing connectivity to the town centre.
Officially opened by mayor Cllr Greg Maskalick at a ceremonial crossing also attended by Adam Thompson, MP for Erewash, the Britannia Mills Bridge will connect Canal Street to the wider town centre, cutting the previous distance between crossings in half. The project forms part of the council’s £25 million Town Deal regeneration programme, funded by central government.
The project was procured via the Procure Partnerships East Midlands Framework under a two-stage procurement route.
To deliver the project on time and cost while minimising public disruption and ecological damage to the waterway, Stepnell fabricated the bridge offsite before carefully installing the steel structure into position.
Tom Sewell, director at Stepnell, said:
“It is fantastic to celebrate the opening of the Britannia Mills Bridge, having worked closely with Erewash Borough Council and the wider community to deliver a high-quality bridge that will encourage active travel and enhance access into the town centre.”
The project was delivered in close partnership with Erewash Borough Council, Canal and River Trust, Environment Agency and Futures Housing. The bridge sits within a wider residential development at the former Britannia Mills lace-making complex, where more than 100 new affordable homes have been built as part of the Town Deal.
Stepnell is also undertaking construction of a new Broad Street Bridge, which will replace an ageing structure near the town centre – additionally within the Town Deal. The deal also includes a £10 million transformation of the High Street into a shopping and leisure destination.
Tom added:
“As a business based nearby in Beeston that is highly experienced with delivering public sector town regeneration projects, we have been working closely with our local supply chain connections to maximise local value and opportunities generated through these bridge projects.
We are continuing to strengthen our connection with the community and support Erewash Borough Council’s goals for the Town Deal as we help to bring this complex long-term transformation to life.”
Cllr James Dawson, leader of Erewash Borough Council, said:
“While the Broad Street bridge is replacing a structure that was nearing the end of its lifespan, the crossing here near Canal Street has been built where no bridge stood before. It will be a tremendous time-saver for local people.”
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said:
“There are more than 100 new affordable homes at Britannia Mills, which was an old lace-making complex. The now thriving community there will be overjoyed at the bridge halving the previous mile-long distance between canal crossings.”
Jordan Rhoda, Framework Manager (Infrastructure), said:
“We were delighted to support Erewash Borough Council in appointing Stepnell to deliver this project. The new bridge will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, supporting active travel while unlocking wider regeneration at Britannia Mills and connecting the growing community of more than 100 new homes with Long Eaton town centre.”
