Forth Bridge firm builds new crossing over canal
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 14/01/2026.
A firm that makes bridges and whose experts help to maintain one of the UK’s most iconic crossings has begun factory construction of a new link that will span the Erewash Canal – as part of Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal.
The company – Wigan-based Beaver Bridges – is responsible for inspecting the suspension cables of Scotland’s famous Forth Road Bridge.
It has started work on fabricating the footbridge and cycleway that is due to be craned into place in Long Eaton in the summer.
The Britannia Mills Bridge near Canal Street is being delivered by local based firm Stepnell Limited and will improve connectivity in the town – halving the mile-long distance between canal crossings north of the town centre. The location for it is close to where 109 new affordable homes are nearing completion on the site of an old lace-making complex.
The metal crossing is one of two across the canal that are being funded by Government investment that the council helped to secure for the town. The other bridge – a dramatic curved structure – will replace the existing Broad Street footway, which is nearing the end of its lifespan. Access to the towpath will be improved, plus there will be a new waterfront leisure space.
A host of projects funded by the regeneration money include a £10million revamp of the town centre – which will also begin this year. Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“The council has been to visit the Wigan bridge factory at Ince-in-Makerfield and is pleased to report that great progress is being made. Long Eaton’s residents will soon have not one but two new crossings over the canal – and it will be quite a sight when each of these fantastic bridges is craned into place.”
New Bridge is Big Deal
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 13/01/2026.
Work has started to build a bridge over the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton which will be a vital link for residents of the town.
The Britannia Mills bridge, which will be near Bennett Street, is one of the Government funded Long Eaton Town Deal projects.
It will link, via a traffic free route, the canal towpath to the Canal Street district of the town.
Construction work is being carried out by Stepnell, the same company who are replacing the dilapidated Broad Street bridge at West Park. It is expected to be complete in the summer.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, says:
“It is great to see work on another town deal project getting underway. The new bridge at this location will provide a link for residents in the Canal Street district who will be able to access the canal towpath via the new bridge. A lot of hard work has gone into getting these projects off the ground and I look forward to seeing more of them completed so that the community of Long Eaton can reap the benefits.”
The Long Eaton Town Deal saw the council secure almost £25 million of funding from the government in 2020 to make vital improvements to the town.
Other projects include the conversion of a former stable block into a modern office space behind the town hall, a new commercial and residential development at the site of the former Galaxy Row cinema on Derby Road, and improvements to the High Street.
New lighting and an events field were new additions to West Park, where a new replacement bridge is being built that links the park to Broad Street.
Bridge to shut from Nov 6 for ‘stunning’ replacement
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 22/10/2025.
Residents who use the canal crossing to get to Long Eaton's West Park are being warned that the bridge will shut next month – so that the spectacular new walkway can be built.
Pedestrians will need to follow diversions from 6th November 2025 when the existing link from the heart of Long Eaton to West Park closes.
Dismantling of the decaying bridge at Broad Street will then begin – ahead of it being replaced by a dramatic curved structure that sweeps across the canal.
Construction as part of Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal is expected to be completed during August next year. The diversion will see pedestrians having to cross the canal via Derby Road. Erewash Borough Council apologises to locals for this inconvenience.
The authority is working closely with the Canal & River Trust on the bridge project – which includes the construction of a smart new waterfront.
Local businessman Richard Ledger, who is chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “The new bridge will be a real stunner – and something Long Eaton can be truly proud of.”
Linny Beaumont, regional director for the Canal & River Trust, said: “It’s great to see these fantastic plans progressing. The new bridge promises to be a real local landmark, which will not only make it easier for the local community to access the canal but also create a point of interest where people want to stop and spend time by the water. We’re looking forward to working with Erewash Borough Council as this exciting project takes shape.”
£25m Town Deal progress is groundbreaking
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 18/11/2025.
A day of ceremonies to officially break ground on projects to transform one of Erewash’s towns will take place this month as Erewash council forges ahead with the £25million regeneration of Long Eaton.
Civic leaders and officials will see where preparations are being made for the construction of a spectacular new bridge at Broad Street – and will also visit a prime site that has been cleared following the demolition of a derelict cinema.
New affordable homes will be built as part of a showcase development where the Galaxy picture house stood. It had been a crumbling town centre eyesore for more than a decade – and Erewash Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson grabbed a sledgehammer last May to start flattening it.
Local business leader Richard Ledger, who chairs the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “Next year will also see work start on transforming the area around the High Street, where £10million of the regeneration funding is being spent. Things are really ramping up as local people begin to see tangible benefits from the investment that is pouring into the town – after a colossal amount of work behind the scenes to get to this exciting stage.
“The magnificent new canal bridge at Broad Street is part of a new waterfront amenity that we are building. The crossing will be a new landmark for the town thanks to its stunning design.
“At Galaxy Row there will be 16 high-quality flats for social rent plus four townhouses earmarked for shared ownership. This will create a vibrant new community alongside the building of three commercial premises.”
Representatives from developer MyPad and affordable housing association Tuntum will join officials at the Galaxy site visit. Tom Spink, director of MyPad, said: “In addition to providing much-needed high-quality, affordable homes, the scheme will support the creation of full and permanent job opportunities and deliver highly energy-efficient properties that contribute to long-term sustainability. We are proud to be playing a key role in enhancing the fabric of Long Eaton and helping to shape a thriving future for the town.”
The site visits on Tuesday 25 November will be followed in the New Year by the official opening of a swish new businesses centre. It is another project funded by £25million of Government regeneration money that the council helped to clinch for the town.
The self-contained studios and offices in The Stables – a listed building next to Long Eaton Town Hall – are already being advertised on Rightmove. The link is here: Commercial property to lease in The Stables, Cranmer Street, Nottinghamshire, NG10
Heart of town set to get £10m facelift next spring
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 19/09/2025.
A £10MILLION project to transform Long Eaton's High Street is set to begin next spring, marking a significant step in the town's £25million regeneration.
The mission will deliver a flagship scheme to give the town centre a vibrant new look – with a focus on seeing the community get maximum benefit from the budget.
The Long Eaton Town Deal Board, which is overseeing the regeneration funding, has been conducting a comprehensive review of the design to allow for the impact of inflation on the cost of materials and to prioritise the use of British sourced products.
This detailed planning phase aims to secure the best possible outcome for residents and visitors, according to Richard Ledger, a local businessman who chairs the board.
He said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime boost for Long Eaton, and we are determined to get things absolutely right. With such a huge investment, our priority is to give the people of the town something they can be truly proud of by delivering a transformation that stands the test of time.”
Work is expected to start in May 2026. It is forecast to take a year before completion in May 2027.
Erewash Borough Council helped to secure the investment and has been working closely with the Government's new Local Regeneration Fund, formerly the Towns Fund. The £25million of total funding is providing other boosts to the town, including enhanced connectivity with two new bridges. Contracts to build a showcase curved crossing that will sweep over the canal at Broad Street and a second footbridge at Britannia Mills are set to be announced within weeks.
This follows the successful completion of two other projects – new lighting in West Park and the construction of an events field there. Work to demolish the town’s derelict Galaxy cinema is also complete, clearing the way for a development of new homes and business units.
A seventh project that is also nearing completion is the transformation of a historic stable block next to Long Eaton Town Hall. This building is being turned into a new business hub with a mix of offices, meeting spaces and workshops, and is on track to welcome its first occupants by the New Year.
All Long Eaton Town Deal projects are on course to be delivered well ahead of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s current programme timetable.
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