New footbridge could be 'catalyst' for town change

A new £4.2m footbridge connecting a town to its biggest park could be a "catalyst" for change, a local official has said.

West Park Bridge links Long Eaton town centre to West Park over the Erewash Canal, replacing its predecessor, which closed in November after being in place for almost a century.

The new curved structure was opened at an event on Saturday, which also gave locals a first look at a street art mural, created as a backdrop to the new bridge.

Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said the new bridge would help the nearby town centre "evolve".

The project has been funded from a £25m government funding pot received by the Town Deal and also includes a new waterfront area.

Speaking at an opening event on Saturday, Ledger said: "I think the bridge is a catalyst for the change that is going to come to the town.

"We're currently also working on improving the high street.

"It is that catalyst. It gives people a sense of pride in their town and what the town can be."

Ledger added: "High streets need a new purpose.

"They're no longer going to be the shopping destination that they've been before and projects like this help to give the high streets their new purpose and make them attractive and let them evolve into what they need to become."

Next to the bridge, a new mural has been created by renowned artist Neil Keating, 46, and Derbyshire-based Elle Koziupa, 23.

It has transformed the rear wall of a canal-side factory building, merging Koziupa's "amazing photo-realism" with Keating's "signature graphic style", the Erewash Borough Council said.

James Dawson, leader of the authority, added: "It's fantastic that the bridge is open.

"It's taken quite a long time to get here.

"The fact it's now open, people can cross it and that link between the town centre and park has been re-established is fantastic."

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.