Bridge set for opening despite 'nightmare' weather

A £6.6m bridge which has been built to replace a 200-year-old wooden structure is on schedule to open in late spring, builders have confirmed.

The 140-tonne crossing, linking Avenham Park in Preston city centre with Penwortham in South Ribble, replaces the historical tram bridge which closed in 2019 over fears it would collapse.

Anthony Mulligan, from builders Eric Wright, said there was a small amount of work still to do, but after a challenging build it was close to completion.

He said the weather had given the team "nightmares" and working in water was "always the biggest headache" but the end result was a "really nice route into Preston".

Mulligan said: "We've got a little bit of work to do on the northern side - the Avenham Park side - and on the south side we have the old tram road to be resurfaced."

Work began on the new bridge in 2024 but had to be paused over the winter of 2025 because of poor weather and breeding salmon in the River Ribble.

Mulligan admitted the work had proven difficult, as "working in water is never easy, its always the biggest headache and this proved to be the case".

"Weather gave us nightmares and we were constrained by high tides," he explained.

But it was all worth it, he said, adding: "It will look lovely and give a very a real nice route into Preston."

The 130m (426ft) span steel bridge has camuru wood vertical deck panels with stone work on the approach.

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