First look at Preston's proposed £7m tram bridge

By Tim Aldred

08 Mar 2024

Preston Tram Bridge

New CGI visuals have been released of the proposed tram bridge which will cross the River Ribble and connect Preston city centre with South Ribble.

The bridge is expected to cost £6.6m and will be delivered by Preston City Council through its £20m Levelling Up funding allocation, together with funding from Lancashire County Council.

Lancashire County Council is project managing and supporting the project working with Eric Wright Civil Engineering on design and construction..

The detailed design work for the look and structure of the bridge is in the final stages of development including the modelling of the bridge over the river flow and surrounding landscape.

The current design has been selected following various other considerations which were rejected by the project technical team due to the specific requirements and challenges of the site.

The design of the bridge supports sustainability factors as well as minimising any environmental impacts of the new structure. The bridge will be of a high quality that meets local needs and takes account of its setting.

The constraints are mainly set by the practical and logistical aspects of building the bridge in an inaccessible location, away from any roads, as well as constructing it in a narrow time window for ecology reasons and to meet the need to clear flood levels.  

The team is also working with a range of specialist consultants including Preston based architects Studio John Bridge, Jacobs Ltd, Bowland Ecology, Smith and Love Consultants, Harris Engineering and DYCE Structural Engineers to ensure the work moves quickly to meet the scheme deadlines.

Engagement with Friends of the Old Tram Bridge, a community group set up to support reinstatement of the bridge, is an important aspect of the project.

The team is also consulting with the Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation and project ecologists, to ensure that the environmental impacts of the new bridge are considered fully throughout the construction, and the lifetime of the bridge – projected to be 120 years.

Coun Valerie Wise, cabinet member for community wealth building and city centre regeneration and development, said: “It has been important to work with a local architect who understands the local context and we aim to provide an opportunity for the community to be kept informed of the proposals. It’s important that we get it right and make sure it’s a bridge that stands the test of time, as well as looking good in its surroundings.”

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, added: "The tram bridge is a key feature of this part of the River Ribble and the new bridge will restore an important active travel route between South Ribble and Preston city centre for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

"Providing good sustainable transport links and places where people can stay healthy by enjoying the outdoors is a key aspect of our levelling up ambitions, and I'm very pleased to be investing in this project which will benefit people in this area for generations to come."

John Bridge from Studio John Bridge Architects said: “It is great to be part of the next chapter in the history of the Tram Road Bridge. Since its closure it has been a huge talking point and as a Prestonian I am so pleased the council has secured through LUF funding.

"Since assisting the councils and constructor, it is very impressive to see all the work that has been carried out behind the scenes by all parties, from ecology to logistics and legal departments. I hope with the support of the public and all involved, we’ll deliver this important transport link from the City Parks to South Ribble.”

Gavin Hulme, operations director, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: “We are proud to be working in collaboration with Preston and Lancashire to deliver this landmark bridge project. We have worked on numerous complex river bridges in recent years and it is a privilege to be working on one so close to our head office and to contribute towards the long-standing infrastructure of Lancashire.”

Genn Cookson of Friends of the Old Tram Bridge said: “The bridge started as a wooden structure over 200 years ago – it’s part of the bridge’s history to evolve and be rebuilt and I think it is exciting that we will witness its new lease of life. Ultimately though, the utility of the bridge is so important. We have been without a bridge for nearly five years and now we need this important pedestrian, cycling and bridleway link back." 

Works to prune or remove trees around the bridge approaches is about to start improving access to the bridge in advance of the main works.

Subject to approval, the main bridge works are programmed to start later in the summer. 

The new bridge will be delivered by Spring 2025.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin