Preston tram bridge demolished in just 14 days

The Old Tram Bridge, which connected Preston with South Ribble for more than 200 years, has been demolished. It took just 14 days, putting the project ahead of schedule.

The bridge's removal paves the way for the construction of a new £8m tram bridge, a key project within the city council’s ‘Active Preston’ programme.

Work can now start on the foundations for the first of two piers in the river, set to be completed before the winter period. Work to the abutments and the land pier can then be completed before work starts on the second river pier in Summer 2025. 

The bridge will be lifted into place in Autumn next year and work will complete by early 2026. Boasting a projected life span of 120 years, the bridge will provide a sustainable long term active travel route with minimal environmental impact.

The new Tram Bridge is being delivered by Preston City Council part-funded by the £20m grant awarded by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with an additional £1m from Lancashire County Council who are supporting and project managing the construction of the bridge alongside Eric Wright Civil Engineering. 

The achievement of the milestone was attended by representatives from Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council and the main contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering.

Coun Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: “This is a rare and historic occasion, a small snapshot in history where, for a brief moment Preston is without it’s iconic Tram Bridge.

"Today is the start of a new era for our bridge which will continue to deliver a really important sustainable active travel route in and out of the city for pedestrians, cyclists (and horses!) We can’t wait to see the construction commence which will serve our residents for many more generations to come.”