Information on Loughborough
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
New bridge arrives in style
Posted on 11/12/2009
A new pedestrian and cycle bridge designed to boost access to Watermead Country Park is being lifted into place next week.
The structure, known as the Backwater or Bywater Bridge, adds to the new bridge at Thurmaston Lock, built in July 2009. It crosses the River Soar close to the lock, off Mill Lane, Thurmaston.
Due to the size and shape of the bridge - it is 13.6m long and weighs 4.5 tonnes - it is being delivered on a flatbed lorry which has its own crane to lift it into place and is specifically designed to carry and lift heavy loads.
Ernie White, County Council Cabinet Member for Country Parks, said: “The park is popular with visitors from all over the city and county. We want to make sure that the changes over the next five years will greatly improve accessibility into and around the park for all of these people.”
The £25,000 bridge, funded by Sustrans and British Waterways, complements the £1.4 million Lottery-funded Sustrans Connect2 Watermead Country Park project. In December 2007, people across the nation voted Connect2 the winner of a £50 million Big Lottery Fund People’s Millions grant. The initiative is creating new cycling and walking routes, improving local travel in 79 communities throughout the UK over the next five years.
To keep up to date with improvements in Watermead Country Park, visit www.leics.gov.uk/connect2.
Photo Opportunity:
The bridge will be lifted into place on Monday 14th December at 1030am. Any media wishing to attend can arrive at the Mill Lane entrance to Watermead Country Park. A press officer will be on site – mobile telephone 07904 263331.
Notes:
For further information on Sustrans’ Connect2 project, please contact Emma Page in the Sustrans press office on 0117 915 0123.
Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK’s transport challenges.
£50 million Sustrans’ Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will create new cycling and walking routes to improve local travel in 79 communities. Connect2 was awarded its Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions grant after winning a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007. Further details are available at www.sustransconnect2.org.uk
The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030. Textphone: 08456 021 659
Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk .